A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga yesterday, generating a small tsunami.

The quake struck about 130 miles south-south-east of the Tongan capital of Nuku'Alofa at a depth of 6.2 miles, the US Geological Survey said.

Police in Nuku'Alofa said there were no immediate reports of injury or damage.

Local resident Pesi Fonua said the quake “lasted for something like 20 seconds”, but “I haven't seen any damage from it”.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami warning for Tonga and neighbouring islands, and reported that sea level readings confirmed that a potentially destructive tsunami wave was generated by the quake.

However, the centre later confirmed the tsunami had a height of about 4cms.

But police spokesman Niua Kama said residents had not taken the warning seriously.

“People are out on the roads, laughing at the warning,” he said.

“They are not moving from the coast” even though there had been “a strong warning of a tsunami”.