An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck New Zealand's Kermadec Islands at about 11:19 p.m. Monday, the National Seismological Network said.

It said the epicenter was about 33 kilometers deep and was located at 29.7 degrees south latitude and 177.8 degrees west longitude.

No casualties were reported.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2008)