A strong 7. magnitude earthquake hit near Tonga, prompting an initial tsunami warning that was later lifted for the Pacific island country.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit about 100km northeast of the main island in the early morning hours of Monday (local time). Hours later, a second 6.1 magnitude quake hit in the same area.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii issued an alert following the first quake saying hazardous waves could be possible but later said there was no longer a tsunami threat.
Tsunami sirens could be heard after the 1.18am quake urging residents to move inland, according to the Talanoa o Tonga news site. There were no initial reports of…