Earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred in New Zealand: a state of emergency has been declared
Kyiv • UNN
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred 160 km northwest of the Snares Islands. New Zealand authorities have declared a state of emergency and warned of dangerous currents along the coast.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred today 160 km northwest of the Snares Islands, which was felt by more than 4,500 people in New Zealand. According to eyewitnesses, the earthquake triggered falling objects and swaying buildings. UNN writes about this with reference to The New Zealand Herald.
According to GeoNet, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred 160 km northwest of the Snares Islands. A state of emergency has been declared near the lower part of the South Island.
"No evacuation is needed, but there is a potential danger near the coastline," said New Zealand's Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell.
"We ask people to stay away from the beach and the water. There may be strong and unusual currents," he added.
The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) said the risk of dangerous currents will continue for several more hours.
"Strong currents and waves can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water's edge. People in or near the sea in the areas below should get out of the water, away from beaches and coastal areas, as well as harbors, marinas, rivers and estuaries," Nema said in a statement.
Threatened areas include the west coast of the South Island from Milford Sound to Puysegur Points. More than 4,500 people reported feeling the earthquake, and one person in Tuatapere described it as a "long rumble."
A local resident of Te Waewa Bay in Riverton wrote on his social networks that the building was shaking for 10-15 seconds.
"We just had an aftershock in Orepuki," he said.
