New Zealand earthquake warning: Tsunami alert lifted after strong tremor shakes nation
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has sparked an initial tsunami warning for the nation’s coastal areas.
People were initially urged to evacuate after a strong earthquake hit New Zealand’s lower South Island, sparking tsunami fears.
The quake, which originally was measured at magnitude 6.3 before it was revised to 5.9, struck 40km north of Te Anau on Thursday night at a depth of 53km, according to national monitoring system GeoNet.
The National Emergency Management Agency issued a tsunami alert for coastal areas and told people living near on the South Island’s west coast from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point to leave immediately because land inundation was likely.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The tsunami alert was subsequently downgraded but several warnings still remained in place.
New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency warned people on the west coast of the South Island, from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point, to expect strong and unusual currents for several hours.“Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore.”
The emergency body urged residents to keep away from the sea, beaches, harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries.
More than 18,000 people across the country reported feeling the quake, GeoNet said.
Te Anau is the gateway to the tourist hotspot of Fiordland.
Stuff.co.nz reported that there were a number of smaller earthquakes recorded in the Te Anau area since the larger quake.
The New Zealand website stated that they included six “weak” quakes ranging from magnitude 3.3 to 4.0, and one “light” quake at 4.3.
Local resident Maylene Puyat, the duty manager at Te Anau’s Fiordland Hotel, told Reuters the earth quake was “a bit strong” and she felt shaking for one minute.
“In the hotel, it’s shaking, but nothing moved in the hotel,” she said.
Another resident told local outlet Otago Daily Times the earthquake shaking was “long and loud” and sounded “like a train”.
