Powerful 6.6 earthquake strikes near Te Anau and triggers tsunami warning in New Zealand
A powerful earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island late at night, shaking homes in a popular tourist area and briefly triggering a tsunami warning.
Authorities warned coastal residents to move away from the shore after a powerful earthquake struck near Te Anau.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred about 40 km north of Te Anau at 21.14 NZST on Thursday; Tremors were felt across a large part of the lower South Island, including parts of Fiordland, Queenstown, Wanaka, Southland, Otago and Canterbury.
According to seismic officials, the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 53 km and severe shaking was reported near the epicenter.
In addition to popular destinations such as Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka, centers such as Lumsden, Tuatapere, Alexandra, Gore, Invercargill, Haast, Balclutha and Twizel were among the regions where the earthquake may have been felt.
In the hours after the main shock, numerous aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 3.3 to 4.3 further tense the nerves.
New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency moved quickly to issue a tsunami warning, warning that land flooding was possible along parts of the South Island coast from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point.
Residents of the affected coastal areas were called to evacuate immediately.
The warning was later downgraded to an advisory, but officials warned the risk was not completely eliminated.
Officials warned that strong and unusual currents, as well as unpredictable surges near the coast, could continue to pose a danger.
Emergency Management Southland warned that impacts could last for days, while Queenstown Lakes District Council urged people to use caution when driving on roads and over bridges near the hills as debris could be dislodged by the shaking.
