Authorities in New Zealand issued a tsunami warning for parts of the country for the second time within hours after violent new earthquakes hit hundreds of miles from the coast.
Residents were surprised at night from Thursday to Friday after an initial warning was issued. The warning came in the wake of a magnitude 7.3 earthquake near the eastern coast of the northern island. Because there are no high waves, this warning can be withdrawn after a few hours.
This was followed by more intense earthquakes of 7.5 and 8.0 magnitude, again northeast of the North Island. And the news agency wrote that tens of thousands of residents felt parts of the earthquakes or aftershocks Reuters. A new tsunami warning followed.
The New Zealand National Crisis Team (NEMA) calls on residents of different regions to bring themselves to safety proactively. “Take yourself to higher ground. Walk or cycle to avoid traffic jams,” Nima said. The crisis team confirms that during the evacuation call, various measures for Corona, such as imposing a quarantine, will be temporarily ended.
Residents of the Whangarei archipelago and the area between Matata and Tulaga Bay have been called out to leave. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote to the residents on her Instagram page. “I hope everyone is well, especially on the east coast where they feel the full force of the earthquakes.”
The first small waves would have reached the coast of New Zealand by now. NEMA states on Twitter that it is closely monitoring the situation. The warning is expected to remain in effect for several hours.
