Suva (Tonga), Jan 15: Tonga issued on Saturday a nationwide tsunami warning after a violent eruption of a volcano on Friday in Hunga Ha’apai island.
The warning was issued by the Tonga Meteorological Services, according to Radio New Zealand. Waves have hit the main island of Tongatapu including Nuku’alofa.
The volcano has erupted continuously since Friday morning, raising the plume to 5-20 km above sea level.
Tongans were alerted to stay away from coastal areas after swirling abnormal tides drew crowds to the Nuku’alofa waterfront, according to Tonga’s news website Matangi Tonga Online,
Meanwhile, in Fiji, the Mineral Resources Department has advised the public, especially those in low lying coastal areas, to stay out of the water and away from the shore due to strong currents and dangerous waves as a result of volcanic eruptions in Tonga.
