6.8-magnitude quake hits Tonga islands: CENC

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- A 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Tonga islands at 5:00 p.m. Saturday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was monitored at about 15.3 degrees south latitude and 173.15 degrees west longitude, the center said in a statement.

The center initially said it was a 7-magnitude quake based on preliminary measurement.