Tonga hit by 7.1-magnitude earthquake, tsunami warnings issued

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near the Pacific island nation of Tonga on March 30, according to the US Geological Survey, with tsunami waves reported.

The shallow quake hit 90 kilometres southeast of Pangai, with tsunami warnings also extending to the island of Niue, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The US Tsunami Warning System indicated that tsunami waves of between 0.3 and 1 metre above the tide level could affect some coastal areas of both Niue and Tonga. Earlier, it had warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 kilometres of the epicentre along the coasts of Tonga.

In response, Tonga’s national disaster agency urged residents to avoid beaches and shorelines.

To recall, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, with its epicentre located 16km north-west of Sagaing, near the second-largest city, Mandalay. The tremor, also felt in Thailand and south-west China, resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

The official death toll in Myanmar stands at over 1,700, with more than 3,400 injured. Rescue teams are struggling to search for survivors, as aftershocks continue. More than 1,500 homes were damaged in Mandalay alone. The earthquake buckled roads, damaged bridges, and flattened buildings. Myanmar, located in one of the world’s most geologically active regions, has been left in a state of emergency.

In neighbouring Thailand, at least 18 people died, with 11 fatalities at an unfinished high-rise building in Bangkok, which collapsed due to the quake’s shockwaves. Despite the distance of over 1,000km, the tremors caused structural damage, including rooftop pools spilling from swaying buildings.

Rescue operations are still underway, with efforts focused on Mandalay, where many people remain trapped. The US Geological Survey predicts that the toll could exceed 10,000 deaths and widespread economic losses.

By Aghakazim Guliyev