A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck the South Pacific Ocean near Tofua Island in Tonga this morning, May 27, 2024, at 9:47 am local time. The quake, which had a moderate depth of 112 kilometers was felt throughout the Tonga group. Authorities have issued tsunami warnings advising residents to remain cautious, move inland and up to higher grounds and listen to the local radio.
As the sirens were activated, local radio reported chaos with traffic within the Nuku’alofa Central Business District in Nuku’alofa as workers rush for home and parents scramble to pick up their children from school as they all leave the low lying capital. The long que of vehicle extends as far out from the capital to the village of Havelu.
Vava Lapota, radio correspondent, from Vava’u repoted that the Tonga Development was the first to close for the day while other shops were starting to close as well. All government ministries have closed as well.
Similarly, Ha’apai shops, schools and businesses have now been closed as reported by Manase Vaka’uta on radio.
Despite the strength of the earthquake, no significant damage or impact has been reported.
There is no expectation of severe aftershocks at this moment.