New Zealand authorities have issued a tsunami warning after a powerful earthquake hit northeast of Christchurch, the biggest city on South Island. At least two people have been confirmed dead in Kaikoura.

The tremor, with a magnitude initially estimated at 7.4 before being scaled up to 7.8, had a depth of 23km, according to the US Geological Survey. New Zealand’s Civil Defense puts the depth at 15km.

Full story: rt.com