A powerful 7.6 earthquake has struck near Tonga, but there is no tsunami risk following the event

Officials confirm that there is no tsunami risk following a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck near Tonga.

Officials have verified that there is no tsunami threat following a significant deep-sea earthquake that occurred near the Pacific island nation of Tonga on Tuesday.

Officials from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that there is no tsunami threat, as the earthquake occurred too deep within the earth, alleviating initial concerns after warnings were briefly issued for coastal regions.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of nearly 238 km (148 miles), with its epicenter situated approximately 150 km from the town of Neiafu.

The Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office issued a tsunami warning, advising residents in low-lying coastal areas to relocate inland or to higher ground. In the capital, Nukuʻalofa, sirens echoed, causing a wave of panic as individuals flocked to rooftops in search of safety.

Footage from the Tonga Broadcasting Commission showed residents anxiously watching and waiting as emergency alerts echoed throughout the city.

Nevertheless, the warning was subsequently lifted following assessments that verified the deep earthquake did not present a tsunami risk.

No immediate reports of damage or casualties have been received, although authorities are actively monitoring the situation.

Tonga is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for its high seismic activity, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently occur.