The government of the island nation of Tonga called for an immediate inland evacuation on Friday after the 7.9-magnitude earthquake it said triggered a tsunami warning.
“A strong earthquake occurred near Tonga and was felt throughout Tonga. A dangerous tsunami could occur in minutes,” the government said in a statement on its website.
“We recommend that you immediately evacuate inland to high ground or the 3rd level of a steel or concrete building until the threat has passed. Mariners are advised to move to deep oceans away from reefs,” it said.
Tonga’s government said the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of the town of Neiafu on Vava’u island.
The United States Geological Survey (USGA) announced on Friday that an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale was located 211 kilometers east of Neyafou, Tonga.
Earlier this year, Tonga was hit by a record-breaking eruption from an underwater volcano, which released a huge plume of ash, gas and steam up to 20km into the atmosphere and sent tsunami waves across the Pacific.
The main island, Tongatapu, suffered significant damage from the tsunami and was drowned in a thick layer of ash.
At least two deaths were reported at the time.
This is breaking news. More to come.
