Powerful earthquake strikes Tonga

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tonga this Sunday evening at 19.31 New Zealand time.

The quake was 66km in depth and struck 287km from the capital Nuku’alofa, US Geological Survey earthquake alerts said.

Earlier it tweeted the preliminary reading of the quake to be 5.8.

No injuries or damages reported and there was no official tsunami threat warning issued.

The New Zealand MP Jenny Salesa who is currently in Tonga said on Facebook she was contacted after the earthquake.

“Malo e lelei, just letting you all know as I’ve had a number of people reaching out asking if we’re OK after the earthquake that we are indeed alright here in Tonga. One of the biggest risks here is not just from earthquakes but in addition a possible tsunami occurring afterwards because the main island where most people live, Tongatapu is really flat,” Salesa said.

Source: NZKaniva News