A 7.2-magnitude quake hit off Russia's Kuril Islands on Wednesday, prompting local residents to seek higher ground due to a brief tsunami threat, authorities said.

The Russian emergencies ministry said the quake's epicentre was 210 kilometres southeast of Severo-Kurilsk, a town of around 2,500 people on the Kuril island of Paramushir. Officials reported no casualties or damage but said 400 residents of Severo-Kurilsk were taken to higher ground. The emergencies ministry said a small tsunami wave of about 50 centimetres (1.6 feet) high had hit the shore. The US Geological Survey for its part estimated the strength of the quake at 7.5 magnitude.