A tsunami warning has been issued for New Zealand after a 8.3 magnitude quake in American Samoa.
A three-metre wave came ashore at Apia, damaging waterfront homes, according to NewstalkZB, and emergency services say the whole country is being evacuated to higher ground.
The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a tsunami warning for New Zealand coasts.
The first place likely to be struck if a tsunami is generated is East Cape at about 9.45am.
Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and GNS Science is that the earthquake is likely to have generated a tsunami.
The warning is for all of New Zealand - but people are being urged not to panic, as previous evidence suggests a tsunami reaching NZ shores is unlikely.
The Ministry’s Director, John Hamilton, said that the Ministry has alerted the country’s regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups, Police, Fire Service, Ministry of Health, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and other government agencies, and media.
The Ministry has activated the National Crisis Management Centre and is co-ordinating central government response.
The Civil Defence Emergency Management sector is activating its emergency plans. Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups are working urgently with local authorities, local emergency services and local media to warn and if necessary evacuate coastal areas at risk.
Detailed evacuation advice will come from local authorities and local emergency services.
People should act on it promptly - if told to evacuate they should, where possible, take a radio and cellular phone with them, along with items that are essential for them such as glasses, hearing aid and medicines.
GNS Science is convening the tsunami expert panel and all available New Zealand and international data about the earthquake and sea levels are being monitored and analysed.
