An underwater volcano erupts, the island of Tonga overwhelmed by a 1.2-meter tsunami

Earthquake and tsunami in Tonga, an island in the Pacific Ocean inhabited by over 100,000 people.

"A 1.2 meter high tsunami wave was observed in Nukualofa," on the island of Tonga, the Australian Meteorology Bureau reported in a tweet.

The wave that swept the coasts of the island is the consequence of the eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, which awakened again and which yesterday had caused another tsunami, but of lesser extent, with waves "only" 30 centimeters high.

Satellite images of the eruption show a cloud of water and ash emerging from the ocean, while in other videos from the island some coastal areas are completely flooded.

The damage count is underway, while local authorities have alerted the population to implement the emergency anti-tsunami procedures.

(Unioneonline / lf)