WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has become stronger near Tonga, prompting the first tsunami warning that was later lifted in the Pacific Island country.
A US geological survey said the earthquake hit a depth of 29km (18 miles) and centered around 62 miles (100km (62 miles) northeast of Main Island early Monday morning. A few hours later, the second earthquake of 6.1 magnitude was hit in the same area.
Hawaii’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning following the first earthquake, saying that dangerous waves could be possible, but later said there was no threat from a tsunami. Also, the warning was cancelled by the national disaster management office a few hours later.
There were no reports of casualties or structural damage, said agency director Mahua Maka, who spoke to Radio New Zealand a few hours after Quake. Local news outlets said further evaluations will be conducted under sunlight.
Tsunami sirens could be heard at 1:18am after urged residents to move inland with live video streamed by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. Nukuarofa, the capital’s people, were seen moving inland or highlands before officials could make it completely clear for residents to return home.
Posting on social media, Tongan reported that it could be called most of the chains on the islands that make up the country. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatoua posted on Facebook that shelves, tables and photos fell off the wall while it was shaking.
“It was hard to get up,” he wrote. “I didn’t feel that the earthquake would last that long.”
Tonga is a Polynesian country made up of 171 islands and has a population of just over 100,000, most of which live on the main islands of Tongatapu. Located 1,800 km (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand, it is located on the Pacific Ring Fire, a structural region of earthquakes and volcanoes.
The lowland island nation was devastated by a tsunami in 2022 and was spurred by a volcanic eruption. Three were killed.
