A tsunami warning has been issued for Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji following a 7.6 agnitude earthquake below the Pacific seabed, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said on Saturday.

'A tsunami warning is in effect for Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji. An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami,' the Center said in a statement.

'Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to this possibility.'  The quake occured at a depth of 33 kms off Vanuatu.-Reuters