Tonga issues tsunami warning after undersea volcano erupts

By NICK PERRY
Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Pacific nation of Tonga has issued a tsunami warning after an undersea volcano erupted, and video posted to social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas. The Tonga Meteorological Services said the tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga. Authorities in nearby Fiji also issued a warning, telling people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents and dangerous waves. The Islands Business news site reported that a convoy of police and military troops evacuated Tonga’s King Tupou VI from his palace near the shore. He was among the many residents headed for higher ground. The explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano was the latest in a series of spectacular eruptions.