Magnitude 7.1 earthquake strikes Vanuatu in South Pacific

ISTANBUL

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 shook Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake hit 125 kilometers (77 miles) south of the town of Isangel at 1256GMT.

It occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers (21 miles).

Authorities have not made any official statement so far.