Tonga Earthquake: Coastal Evacuations, No Tsunami Threat

0:00It's March 24. You're listening to Global News today, AI-powered Global Coverage. A strong magnitude, 7.6 earthquake hit the South Pacific near Tonga on Tuesday, shaking the island nation and leading to coastal evacuations. The quake struck about 95 miles west of Nayafu, Tonga's second largest town, but no immediate damage was reported. Officials from Tonga's National Disaster Risk Management Office urged everyone in low-lying areas to head to higher ground right away and stay clear of beaches and shorelines until further notice. The United States Geological Survey and the Pacific tsunami warning center confirmed no tsunami threat. Since the quake was too deep underground, people across the islands felt the jolt strongly with one beachfront hotel in Nukua-Lofa reporting the building shook but everything was fine. Afterward, police have not yet commented on the situation. Tonga sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hot spot for earthquakes and volcanoes, and

1:00it's home to 171 islands with just over one. 100,000 residents, mostly on the main island of Tangata Poo. The epicenter was closer to the Vava U Group. Authorities are monitoring closely, waiting to give the all-clear as the nation stays on alert for any aftershocks.