Nuku'alofa, July 02 (QNA) - An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck the islands of Tonga in the South Pacific.

The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake struck 155 kilometers west of Hihifo, Tonga, at a depth of 259 kilometers.

So far, there have been no reports of casualties or material damage resulting from the earthquake.

Tonga is an archipelago of 176 scattered islands in the South Pacific, of which only 52 are inhabited. It lies northwest of both New Zealand and Australia. (QNA)