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Tsunami warning sirens sounded Friday and thousands of New Zealanders on the east coast of the North Island were evacuated to higher ground after a third earthquake.
workers, students and residents fled in areas like Northland and the Bay of Plenty. Civil defense officials were on the ground to help people evacuate, as authorities said the tsunami waves could reach three meters (10 feet) above the tide level.
The latest earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1 and struck the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. This came shortly after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in the same region. Previously, a large 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred about 900 kilometers (540 miles) away in the eastern North Island. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the earthquakes.
The New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the first waves would hit the north coast of New Zealand around 9:45 am. He said the threatened areas were from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, including Whakatane and Opotiki, and Great Barrier Island.
“We want everyone to take this threat seriously. Go to high ground,” Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai told state broadcaster TVNZ.
Warnings were also issued for other Pacific islands such as Tonga, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Hawaii, and others.
Australia issued a marine tsunami threat to Norfolk Island, but said there was no threat to the mainland. Chile said it could experience a minor tsunami.
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck New Zealand’s eastern North Island was felt by more than 60,000 people across the country, with many describing the quake as “severe.” Aftershocks were still being recorded in the area.
“People close to shore in the following areas should immediately move to the nearest high ground, outside of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible. Do not stay home,” NEMA said on Twitter.
“The earthquake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should be immediate as a damaging tsunami is possible,” he added.
Reuters
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