The earthquake struck "deep inside the earth", the US Pacific Tsunamy Warning Center said.

07:25, Tue, Mar 24, 2026 Updated: 07:55, Tue, Mar 24, 2026

Aerial view of Tonga

Tonga was rocked by a massive earthquake (Image: Getty)

A massive earthquake struck near Tonga overnight, prompting tsunami fears in the South Pacific Ocean region.

The earthquake hit about 150km west of Neiafu in Tonga at a depth of 237km at 5.38pm, the US Geological Survey said. It is understood the Tsunami warning is now only in place for the Vava'u area of Tonga, while it was cancelled for Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai and the Nuias, Tonga Meteorological Services said.

In New Zealand, the National Emergency Management Agency said that "based on current information, the assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand". In his latest update, the agency also said: "There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the revised M7.6 TONGA earthquake at 5.38pm [local time] on 24 March 2026."

Tonga National Disaster Risk Management Office, through its official Facebook page, warned all residents to move immediately to higher ground or inland and urged them to avoid beaches and shorelines.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also said a tsunami was not expected and added "there is no tsunami threat because the earthquake is located too deep inside the earth".

New Zealand's RNZ said "the officer in charge of the group for the environment and disaster ministry, Lucy Faanunu, said there was no significant damage in Neiafu on the main island in the group. She said she was driving home from work when the quake struck". Quoted by the same outlet, she said: "When I was driving it was shaking the steering wheel was shaking like left, right, left right. And then when I arrived home my son said 'Mum did you feel the earthquake? Because it was quite long!"

Faanunu also confirmed that "as a precaution against any potential tsunami waves, people have been told to move to higher ground and stay there until an official all clear was given".

Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom made up of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited, most lined in white beaches, coral reefs, and covered with tropical rainforest. The main island is Tongatapu, which is home to the rural capital of Nuku'alofa.

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The city of Neiafu, near which the earthquake originated, is the second-largest town in Tonga. It is situated beside the Port of Refuge, a deep-water harbour on the south coast of Vavaʻu, the main island of the Vavaʻu archipelago in northern Tonga.

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