A tsunami warning has been lifted for Tonga after a strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Pacific Island country.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of potential hazardous waves, but the threat was later lifted, allowing people to return home.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake’s depth at 18 miles (29 kilometres).
Its epicentre was approximately 62 miles (100 kilometres) northeast of Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu.
A second, 6.1 magnitude tremor followed in the same area hours later.
Tonga Broadcasting Commission’s live stream captured the sound of tsunami sirens urging residents to move inland after the initial 1am quake.
Footage showed people in the capital, Nuku’alofa, evacuating to higher ground before officials declared the all-clear.
The country’s disaster management office also cancelled its tsunami warning.
There were no initial reports of casualties, TBC said, and Tongans posting on social media reported being able to place calls with most of the inhabited island chains that make up the country.
It was too soon to know the extent of any damage, which would be assessed in daylight, the broadcaster added, but none was immediately reported.
Tongan taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua posted to Facebook that items fell from shelves and tables and pictures fell from the walls during the shaking.
“Was hard to stand up,” he wrote. “Never felt an earthquake go for that long.”
Tonga is a country in Polynesia made up of 171 islands with a population of just over 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island of Tongatapu.
It is 1,100 miles (1,800 km) north-east of New Zealand and situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic region of earthquakes and volcanoes.
The low-lying island nation was devastated by a tsunami in 2022 that was prompted by a volcanic eruption. Three people were killed.
Source: independent.co.uk