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An underwater volcanic eruption issued a tsunami warning to the people of Tonga.
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Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, is 40 miles north of the volcano.
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Residents are encouraged to move to higher ground.
Tonga, a Pacific country, issued a tsunami warning after a large submarine volcanic eruption.
It hit a big wave on the island, and the islanders living along the coast fled for their lives.
Social media footage shows people scrambling to escape the waves and reach high ground.
One of the Tongan residents, Mere Taufa, Talked to New Zealand news site Stuff.co.nZ and her family said the eruption struck while preparing dinner.
“My first instinct was to hide under the table. I grabbed my sister and shouted to my parents and others at home to do the same.”
Taufa suddenly said that water began to fill her house.
“Everyone hears screams everywhere to get to the hills, and people are screaming for safety,” she said.
Satellite images show a violent submarine eruption, and data from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center have detected waves of 80 centimeters (2.6 feet). AP report.
No casualties have been reported yet.
Authorities in neighboring island nations Fiji and Samoa have also issued warnings, telling people to avoid the coastline due to strong tides and dangerous waves.
In New Zealand, 1,250 miles from Tonga National Administration Warned As a result of the eruption, “strong and unusual currents on the coast and unpredictable surges”.
Authorities warn of the dangers to “swimmers, surfers, anglers, small boats” and people near the sea need to move inland.
Read the original article Business Insider