7.3 magnitude earthquake near Tonga, Tsunami warning issued
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Sydney: A magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit the sea close to the island nation of Tonga on Friday. It struck the sea around 211 km from the capital. The government of Tonga asked people to move inland.
"Please remain inland and on high ground and please listen to the radio until further advised. For mariners, move away from the reefs to the deep ocean," said the government on its Facebook page. In January 2022, the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption triggered a tsunami that destroyed villages and resorts. It also interrupted communication for the Pacific archipelago nation.
A tsunami warning was issued and later lifted. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that based on the available data the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed. Tonga's National Emergency Management Agency tweeted that New Zealand is not at risk of a tsunami.
The earthquake was at a depth of 24.8 km. It was at about 211 km (131 miles) east of south-east Neiafu, said the United States Geological Survey (USGS).