Tonga was rocked after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck about 62 miles northeast of the Pacific island. 

The quake struck in the early hours of Monday morning, local time.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert saying hazardous waves could pose a threat within 300 kilometres (185 miles) of the epicentre.

Tonga’s quake comes just two days after Myanmar and Thailand were hit by a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

The death toll currently stands at 1,700 as people remain trapped under collapsed buildings.