Tsunami warning issued after strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits near island country of Tonga

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, leading to a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, during the early morning hours. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center responded by issuing an alert indicating possible hazardous waves along the coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. As of now, no immediate reports of damage have surfaced in the region, which comprises 171 islands and a population of over 100,000.

A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation as officials prepared for potential hazardous waves.

The quake hit around 100 kilometers northeast of Tongatapu, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alerting about the possibility of dangerous waves in nearby coastal areas.

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