Tsunami warning issued after third powerful earthquake hits New Zealand

The Daily Star’s FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox

A major earthquake of 8.1 magnitude has hit the Pacific Ocean sparking tsunami warning north of New Zealand.

The latest tremor comes just hours after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake with "widespread hazardous tsunami waves" now expected by The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Residents in affects areas have been ordered to "move immediately to nearest high ground" ahead of a devastating wave.

The latest earthquake was recorded near the Kermadec Islands six hours after the quake in north New Zealand.

The National Emergency Management Agency for for country, tweeted: "TSUNAMI WARNING issued following Kermadecs earthquake.

"People near coast from the BAY OF ISLANDS to WHANGAREI, from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND must MOVE IMMEDIATELY to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.

"Areas that need to evacuate are indicated on this map. Evacuate these areas even if you did not feel the earthquake."

The state of Hawaii is now being warned of a "destructive" tsunami heading its way for as soon as 4.35pm local time as a result.

Tsunami.gov has said: "Based on all available data, a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter.

• 

  North Korea war fears as 'smoke' seen coming from Kim Jong un's main nuclear site

"An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii."

Peru is also being braced for the possibility of a tsunami from 3:31am local time on Friday, gob.pe reports.

Get latest news headlines delivered free

Want all the latest shocking news and views from all over the world straight into your inbox?

We've got the best royal scoops, crime dramas and breaking stories – all delivered in that Daily Star style you love.

Our great newsletters will give you all you need to know, from hard news to that bit of glamour you need every day. They'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.

You can sign up here – you won't regret it…

According to communications from the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation of the Peruvian Navy, the wave train is forecast to hit the South American country's coastline between the ports of La Cruz and Ilo.

This is a breaking news story and is constantly being updated.

Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest updates.

Reporters working on dailystar.co.uk will be working to source the latest information, reaction, pictures and video related to this story.

You can also follow us on Twitter @DailyStar to get the latest news updates 24 hours a day.

Or download the Daily Star app for flash alerts on the biggest stories of the day.

Why not also subscribe to receive our regular Daily Star news bulletins? You can do this on this page by simply entering your email address above and hitting 'subscribe'.

• Earthquake

Source: Read Full Article