Tsunami warning across the South Pacific, with the first waves already reaching Japan, California and Hawaii after the eruption of an underwater volcano off the island of Tonga that forced residents to flee into the mountains.
The eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, about 65 km north of the capital of Tonga, Nuku'alofa, caused a tsunami with waves about 1.2 meters high for which an alarm was issued in a large area of the Pacific.
The American Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has launched a tsunami warning for Hawaii and the west coast of the United States, including Alaska, and the Canadian province of British Columbia, predicting waves up to 60 centimeters, strong currents and floods on the coasts. Hawaii did not report any damage reporting only "small floods" in all the islands, while the authorities of the American meteorological service warn citizens to "stay away from the beaches and ports of the places indicated".
First waves also in California, about 45 centimeters: the beaches remain open and the authorities are concerned above all for the piers along the coast, in fact the owners of the boats have been asked to insure them in the best possible way so that they can withstand any anomalous waves.
Japan also hit, a 1.2-meter wave reached the remote southern island of Amami Oshima: waves up to 3 meters high are possible according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency.
The Hunga eruption - captured in satellite images showing a giant cloud of ash, steam and gas rising from the ocean - was felt 800 kilometers away, reaching as far as Fiji and Vanuatu, where people have reported having felt the ground and buildings shaking for hours. Several social media footage shows water entering a church and several houses in the capital, while some cars are run over by the water. In other videos posted on social media, large waves crashing ashore in coastal areas are seen. The king of Tonga, Tupou VI, was also evacuated from the royal palace of Nuku'alofa and escorted by a police convoy to a villa away from the coast. Many areas have experienced a near-total blackout of electricity, telephone lines and Internet services, which means that information is scarce and the extent of any injury or property damage is still unclear.
(Unioneonline / L)