By Matangi Tonga reporters

The Tonga Legislative Assembly resumed its 2024-2025 session this morning, but before they got down to parliamentary business, exhausted members talked about the strong 7.0 M earthquake that shook Tonga overnight.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, thanked god that the country was still in good condition, despite the major earthquake at 1:18am. He said that the Police had helped to move people from low lying areas in an emergency operation at 1:48am in Tongatapu. Outer islands people were moved away from coastlines in Vava’u and Ha’apai. The Tonga Telecommunications Corporation services at Ha'apai were affected.

Dr Fusimalohi said he did not have a good sleep last night and that everyone was shocked by the earthquake and tsunami warnings. “We need good roads to use in situations like this,” he said. At 4:47am they were finally told that the tsunami threat was over.

People’s Representative, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni) requested that the members should be informed during a national emergency so that they could advise their constituents. He was concerned to see people rushing out to save their boats. He said the sirens kept going on for more than an hour.

Another member was also concerned about the situation with the neglected roads because people trying to move out of areas were getting stuck.

Lord Tu'i'afitu said he evacuated to the high ground at Fua'amotu Airport.

After talking about the civil defence emergency, the House took a break for morning tea.

The House is resuming after a two months break. The last meeting was on 31 January, where Cabinet members took their oaths of office in Parliament, and members for the Parliamentary Standing Committees were selected.

Several parliamentary standing committees have been working while the House was not sitting, The session will address reports from the committees, new bills, and deferred government annual reports

The 2024-2025 Parliamentary session is expected to close on 15 May, and the 2025-2026 Parliamentary session will open on 23 May.