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Breathe easy in New Zealand – thousands of people who have fled their homes can return. Civil defense announced on Friday that the tsunami warning issued for much of the Pacific region after the violent earthquake had lifted and the largest waves had passed. However, one should stay away from the beaches and the sea. Previously, three violent earthquakes had shaken the country, there were warnings of a tsunami with waves up to three meters high.
Initially, there was no information on possible damage or injury. The civil protection agency announced that tidal waves had been observed in several places along the coast. Three major earthquakes had previously been recorded on Friday. The strongest earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1 and occurred near the Kermadec Islands, about 800 kilometers northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. Shortly after, another of magnitude 7.4 followed in the same region. Hours earlier there were 7.1 magnitude tremors about 100 kilometers off the coast of the Gisborne district.
However, the civil defense continued to warn of strong and unusual currents and unpredictable floods. As a result, people could drown. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, fishermen, small boats, and everyone in or near water near shore.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) early warning system had warned of a tsunami after the earthquake. Coastal residents in the affected areas were asked to move to safety and monitor the situation closely. Emergency Management Minister Kiritapu Allan said people should stay indoors or on higher ground until clearance is given.
The tsunami warning also applied to archipelagos such as the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. The Kermadec Islands, where the two strongest earthquakes occurred, are part of New Zealand but are hundreds of kilometers offshore. Tremors from that night’s first earthquake were reportedly felt throughout the region, including the major cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Last month, New Zealand thought about the victims of the Christchurch earthquake ten years ago. On February 22, 2011, 185 people died in the largest city on the South Island. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2. (apa / dpa)
