A powerful magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck southeast of Tonga's Pangai region early Wednesday, shaking communities and prompting swift government action. The quake, centered 127 kilometers (79 miles) southeast of Pangai, triggered evacuation orders as residents reported intense tremors across coastal areas.
Qianqian, a resident in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa, described chaotic scenes to KhabarAsia: 'Everyone is leaving. The roads are packed with cars heading to higher ground.' Authorities have not yet confirmed casualties but urged cooperation with evacuation protocols amid tsunami warning systems activation.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued alerts for nearby islands, later reporting minimal tsunami risks. Tonga's seismic activity, caused by its location along the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently impacts this island nation of 100,000 people. Regional cooperation agencies are monitoring aftershock risks while assessing infrastructural damage.
This event underscores the vulnerabilities of Pacific Island nations to natural disasters, raising questions about climate resilience strategies as extreme weather events intensify globally. Business analysts warn of potential short-term disruptions to Tonga's agriculture and fisheries sectors – key drivers of its economy.
