Large tsunami waves hit the coast of Tonga, a country in the Pacific, today, after a powerful eruption of an underwater volcano.
So far, there are no reports of injuries or damage because the internet has been down since 18.40:XNUMX p.m. local time, ten minutes after the tsunami struck, a local official said.
Earlier, a tsunami warning was issued for Hawaii, Alaska and the US Pacific coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii reported that waves on the coast in Hanalei reached 80 centimeters.
"We are delighted that there are no reported damages and only minor flooding across the island," the center said, referring to the situation in Hawaii.
A video posted on social media in Tonga showed large waves crashing in coastal areas and people trying to escape the water that engulfed several houses and a local church.
Satellite images showed a huge eruption, a cloud of ash, steam and gas rising like a mushroom above the blue Pacific waters.
The New Zealand military said it was monitoring the situation and was on alert, ready to help.
Tonga's weather service said a tsunami warning had been issued for the entire archipelago.
In Hawaii, Alaska and along the U.S. Pacific coast, residents were told to move away from the coast to higher ground and to follow the instructions of local emergency management officials.
Today's eruption is the latest in a series of eruptions of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Hapai volcano.
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