Wanganui hit by quake and aftershock

An earthquake that was felt in Wanganui early this morning was followed closely by an aftershock of nearly the same strength, the Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) said today.

The first quake hit at 2.45am and measured 3.7 on the Richter scale.

It was centred 20 kilometres south of Wanganui and was 12km deep.

The aftershock, at 2.54am, which was centred in the same place, and measured 3.5.

- NZPA