Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off Honduras coast: USGS

WASHINGTON: A powerful and shallow 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the waters off the coast of Honduras late Tuesday, triggering tsunami threats and advisories for nearby Caribbean shores, though there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake's epicenter was located some 27 miles (44 kilometers) east of Great Swan Island, and was provisionally considered to be shallow, according to the US Geological Survey.

"Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kilometers of the earthquake epicenter," the US National Weather Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.