By Katalina Siasau
Tongan civil defence authorities called for a major evacuation of low-lying areas in Tongatapu and Ha'apai this morning, urging people to move inland to higher ground, after a strongly shaking 6.7 magnitude earthquake was felt in Tongatapu, Ha’apai, and Vava’u at 9:47 am (TOT) today, 27 May 2024.
An urgent tsunami alert issued at 9:55am local time was later cancelled at 11:00am, after the tsunami threat passed. So far, there have been no reports of damage or injuries.
Deputy Director of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Moana Kioa, told Matangi Tonga this afternoon that they had not received any reports of damage on the Tongatapu or the outer islands. Their main concern was Ha'apai, closest to the earthquake centre.
"We found that there were no damages in Ha'apai and there was no wave reported to go inland," she said.
The earthquake was centred 196 km north of northeast of Nuku’alofa, 32km northwest of Ha’apai, 91 km north of northeast of Nomuka, 107 km south-southwest of Neiafu, 412km south of Niuatoputapu, and 462km south of Niuafo’ou. The earthquake was 156 km deep with a mercalli intensity of VI, meaning strong shaking and light damages.
Tsunami alert
The urgent tsunami alert was put in force by the National Tsunami Warning Centre a few minutes after the earthquake at 9:47am, warning the population that a dangerous tsunami could occur within minutes of the earthquake. Evacuation sirens went off in the capital, Nuku'alofa, with radio broadcasting "You are advised to evacuate immediately inland to high ground or to the 3rd level of a steel or concrete building until the threat has passed. Mariners are advised to move to deep ocean away from reefs."
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) was activated following the alerts.
Schools in the capital were evacuated with thousands of students walking to predetermined evacuation points.
NEOC's Moana Kioa said some schools were evacuated to the closest high buildings and highest ground in Tongatapu, which included the Tonga Broadcasting Commission rooftop, Mataki'eua, 'Api Mataka, and the Teufaiva Sports Stadium.
In Ha'apai, people were evacuated to the old Ha'apai Hospital, and the Taufa'ahau Pilolevu College.
There were traffic jams in parts of the capital as parents tried to reach their children and offices closed-up.
Tsunami cancellation
The tsunami alert was cancelled at 11:00am, approxiamately an hour after the alert went off.
"Based on tide gauge readings and advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, the main tsunami wave have now passed," the NEOC advised.
Meanwhile, Tonga Met urged people to remain vigilant. "Be aware that although the main tsunami threat has passed, small unusual waves, currents and abnormal tides may still affect some beaches and harbours for hours."
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) is activated and remains on standby, after debriefings were held this afternoon.
