Powerful quake hits near Samoa

A powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck today under the Pacific Ocean floor near Samoa, US Geological Survey reported. No damage was immediately reported, and the chances of a local tsunami were low, officials said.

The quake struck beneath the sea floor about 185 miles southwest of Pago Pago, the closest population centre, at about 7.20pm local time (07.20am Irish time), the USGS said.