Violent eruption of an underwater volcano caused a tsunami off the coast of Tonga

The tsunami was triggered by an underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific. It has also caused warnings in other countries in the region.

“Waves of about 1.2 meters were reported in Nuku’alofa”, The capital of Tonga, with a population of 24,500, the Australian Meteorological Service said on Twitter.

Local authorities in Tonga, home to about 71,000 people, did not report any casualties at the time, while local media warned that many parts of the country were unrelated.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’boy submarine volcanoTongan Island is located about 65 kilometers north of Tongatabu. About eight minutes of explosion Launched at 5:20 pm local time (GMT 4:20 am) and The gray is a large pillar about a kilometer high.

The U.S. Hawaii Meteorological Agency said the violent eruption was recorded on satellite imagery.

The onslaught of the waves struck some 15 minutes later, houses and buildings on the first line of the north coast of Tongatabu, According to videos posted on social media by witnesses, some of them took refuge on the roofs of their homes.

Another record shows At least five people, including children, took refuge in the local church Water begins to hit the windows of the religious complex.

A driver was caught in a sudden surge of water on his plane Breaking down walls and fences, Another car traveled upside down and tried to avoid being caught.

Station Radio New Zealand Reports Panic scenes People there are trying to flee to the interior.

Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai has already registered Temporarily increased activity that triggered another tsunami alert, But it did not turn into rising water.

Considering the current emergency, Tongan authorities have asked the entire population Stay away from beaches and beaches Sunday through 4:00 pm (3:00 GMT) and use of a gray rain mask.

Unlike tsunamis triggered by earthquakes, tectonic plates lose their power and a second tsunami is unlikely to happen again. The volcano can re-record a violent eruption that will create another terrible wave.

Except for Tonga, the neighboring island states Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu A tsunami alert was issued for the New Zealand coast, 2,300 kilometers from the volcano.

More than 100 families have been evicted from two villages on the Samoan island of Sawai.Police say photos posted on social media show the waves hit a part of Vanuatu Lewu Island in northeastern Fiji.

Vanuatu officials called “Immediate exit” Coastal areas due to strong currents and waves.

For its part, the New Zealand Emergency Management Agency pointed out on Twitter that they were expecting “Strong currents and abnormally unpredictable swelling” Saddam Islands on the north and east coast of the North Island and the sea country.

(With information from EFE)

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