Tsunami alert cancelled after Tonga quake

A tsunami alert issued after a major 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the Tonga islands region on Friday has been cancelled, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

The quake, which hit at 6:17 am 1817 GMT, was centred 210 kilometres 130 miles south-southeast of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa at a depth of 10 km.

A tsunami warning issued for Tonga, Niue, Kermadec Islands, American Samoa and Fiji was later cancelled by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the centre said in a bulletin.

"It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicentre.

"When no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed," it said.









Part of Compania Church is reflected in a mirror in Quito, Ecuador, on March 15. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja

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