WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, initially leading to a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted for the Pacific island nation. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake occurring at a depth of 29 kilometers (18 miles) and originating approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the primary island early on Monday local time. A second 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit the same area hours later.
Shortly after the initial quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a warning of potential hazardous waves but later confirmed that the tsunami threat had passed. The country’s disaster management office also canceled the warning several hours later.
Mafua Maka, the agency’s director, stated to Radio New Zealand a few hours post-quake that there were no casualties or significant damage reported. Further evaluation would take place in daylight, local media sources indicated.
Residents heard tsunami sirens following the 1:18 a.m. earthquake, prompting them to move inland as captured in a live video by the Tonga Broadcasting Commission. People in the capital, Nuku’alofa, were observed relocating to higher ground until authorities permitted them to return home.
Social media posts from Tongans shared experiences of items falling from shelves and tables, and pictures from walls due to the shaking. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua mentioned on Facebook that standing during the quake was challenging, noting he had never experienced such prolonged shaking before.
Tonga, a Polynesian nation consisting of 171 islands with a population of just over 100,000, primarily residing on the main island of Tongatapu, lies 1,800 km (1,100 miles) northeast of New Zealand within the active tectonic zone of the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.
The low-lying island group was previously hit by a tsunami in 2022 triggered by a volcanic eruption, resulting in three fatalities.
