<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A powerful undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck off the east coast of New Caledonia in the South Pacific today. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, PTWC said hazardous tsunami waves from the earthquake are possible within 1,000 km (600 miles) of the epicentre along the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia. <br />''<br />''<br />''The quake occurred about 155 km (95 miles) east-southeast of the Loyalty Islandsoff New Caledonia's east coast.<br />''<br />''</span>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Residents of New Caledonia, which lies north of New Zealand, received text messages directing them to go to refuges immediately, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. </div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Several aftershocks were reported as the tsunami centre warned of waves of up to three metres above tidal levels for New Caledonia and Vanuatu. </div>