Johannesburg:
Seismologists have said that a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck north of the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius.
The US Geological Service said the earthquake, early on Thursday, was centered about 250 miles north of the small Rodrigues island at a depth of about 6 miles.
There were no immediate reports of damages or injuries. The Mauritian weather department said no tsunami warning was issued.
Mauritius' resort islands with their popular beaches lie about 1,500 miles off southeast Africa's coast.