South Pacific Apr 14 (V7N) — A powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern Fiji early Monday morning at 8:03 am (local time), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake originated at a depth of 174 kilometers (108 miles) beneath the Earth's surface, which significantly reduced the potential for surface-level damage or tsunami generation.

The US Tsunami Warning System confirmed that no tsunami warning has been issued due to the deep-sea origin of the quake. So far, no casualties or major damage have been reported.

This seismic event comes just a day after a series of four earthquakes rattled regions across India, Myanmar, and Tajikistan, triggering concern throughout Central and South Asia.

Although unrelated, the sequence of quakes within such a short timeframe has raised renewed concerns over seismic activity in the Asia-Pacific seismic belt, a region prone to tectonic movements. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation in Fiji.

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