Earthquake rocks Canada islands

OTTAWA. October 28. KAZINFORM A 7.7 magnitude earthquake has rocked islands off Canada's western coastline, being widely felt in parts of British Columbia, but prompting no immediate reports of damage.

photo: QAZINFORM

The quake hit 125 miles (200km) south-west of Prince Rupert at a depth of 11 miles, said the US Geological Survey .

It struck around 03:00 GMT and was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock. Local tsunami warnings were issued.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said it did not expect a wider threat .

People in coastal areas of Haida Gwaii were reportedly being moved to higher ground as a precaution, Kazinform has learnt from BBC.

Urs Thomas, operator of the Golden Spruce hotel in Port Clements, close to the epicentre, said the initial quake lasted about three minutes.

"It was a pretty good shock," he told Associated Press. "I looked at my boat outside. It was rocking. Everything was moving. My truck was moving."

Prince Rupert resident Grainne Barthe told AP: "Everything was moving. It was crazy. I've felt earthquakes before but this was the biggest. It was nerve wracking. I thought we should be going under a table."