Powerful earthquake shakes New Zealand during royal visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

A powerful earthquake hit the North Island of New Zealand, which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit during their royal tour.

The magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit near Taumarunui, about 280 km south of Auckland, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit.

The New Zealand Parliament was suspended after the earthquake and more than 15,000 people reported feeling it.

The quake was one of the country's largest since the magnitude 7.8 earthquake near Kaikoura in the South Island in November 2016, causing two deaths.

Authorities warn people against earthquake replicas.

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The earthquake was reported as "strong" and "largely felt" by GeoNet, with a depth of 193 km.

People reported feeling the earthquake in Christchurch, South Island, 800 km away.

The earthquake forced at least two planes to abandon their planned landings at Wellington.

Civil Defense Minister Kris Faafoi warned people against seismic aftershocks.

Mr. Faafoi said that he did not know if the royal family had been touched.

The Hawke's Bay Civil Defense recommended that people affected by the quake "fall and hold firm".

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their day at Redvale, on the north shore of Auckland, where they dedicated an area of ​​20 hectares of native bushland to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, which conserves native forests for future generations.

Schoolchildren from the area then joined Prince Harry and Meghan for planting trees on the site. The Duchess planted a Kōwhai tree – whose flower was one of the 53 on the veil of her wedding dress.

The royal couple was then assigned the task of running their own student team in a welly-wanging competition.

Meghan's team emerged victorious from her husband during the match. Competitors launch a Wellington boot as far as possible.

The next engagement for the Duke and Duchess was a visit to Pillars, a charity for the benefit of the children of prisoners operating throughout New Zealand. New Zealand's premier, Jacinda Ardern, is joining them for the occasion.

Meghan and Harry will then travel to the center of Auckland to meet locals before attending a reception at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Members of Parliament said they felt the full force of the earthquake.

Premier Jacinda Ardern said people should check with their entourage that they would not be hurt.

MP Deoborah Russell said "it seemed to last forever," while Louise Upton said it was "the longest stay I've ever felt" in the room.

Vice President Anne Tolley called for the suspension of parliament.

"I never thought I should do that, suspend the House until we know what happened," she told Radio New Zealand.

"There was public in the galleries and people just have to make sure their staff is fine. I mean, we're probably in the safest building in the country – but just to make sure we get some advice. & # 39;

A spokesman for Wellington Fire and Emergency said that there had been no reports of injuries or serious injuries.

After initial reports, the severity of the earthquake was reduced to a magnitude of 6.2.

The New Zealand Civil Defense confirmed that there was no tsunami threat in the country after the earthquake.

The tremor was probably due to the bending of the tectonic plates, reported the New Zealand Herald.

Victoria University professor John Townend said he believed the earthquake had been caused by the deformation of the Pacific plate while it was sticking to the Australian plate.