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A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, initially prompting a tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island nation. The US Geological Survey reported the quake hit approximately 62 miles northeast of the main island early Monday local time. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially cautioned about possible hazardous waves, it later confirmed no tsunami threat remained.
Following the quake at 1:18 am, tsunami sirens were heard, urging residents to move inland, as reported by the Talanoa o Tonga news site. There were no immediate reports of damage, and residents in the Ha'apai island group calmly relocated to higher ground.
Tonga, located in Polynesia, consists of 171 islands with a population just over 100,000, mostly residing on the main island of Tongatapu. It is situated more than 3,500 kilometers (2,000 miles) off Australia's east coast.
This earthquake follows a recent 7.7-magnitude quake in central Myanmar on Friday, which also affected neighboring China and Thailand. Myanmar's military government reported at least 1,700 confirmed deaths, 3,400 injuries, and over 300 people still missing as of Sunday, with ongoing assessments of the disaster's impact. The quake, the largest in Myanmar since 1912 according to the US Geological Survey, severely damaged civilian infrastructure, including the country's main highway. Rescue efforts have been largely led by local residents due to limited official access to the worst-affected areas.
The earthquake prompted Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing to request international aid, marking a rare appeal, and allowing foreign aid workers into the country for the first time since the 2021 coup.
