Philippine embassy monitoring developments in Tonga, Samoa, Fiji after volcanic eruption, tsunami advisory

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said the Philippine Embassy in Wellington is "closely following developments in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji" after an underwater volcano erupted Saturday in Tonga, resulting in tsunamis and strong wave alerts.

"The PH Embassy in Wellington is closely following developments in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji after the eruption of an underwater volcano yesterday, triggering tsunamis and strong wave alerts across the Pacific," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Embassy reported residents moving to higher ground and disruptions to communication systems as tsunami waves reached Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. Tsunami advisories were also issued for the coastal areas of New Zealand, Japan, and the US western states," it added.

The DFA said it is checking on the condition of Filipinos in the said areas. There are 87 Filipinos in Tonga, 300 in Samoa, and 400 in Fiji, it said.

"Coordination efforts with local authorities and community leaders are ongoing to ascertain the situation on the ground and the condition of the Filipinos in Tonga (87), Samoa (300), and Fiji (400)," the DFA said.

The underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga triggered tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in Japan and caused large waves in several South Pacific islands, Reuters reported on Sunday.

In American Samoa, tsunami waves measuring 2 feet in height were observed by sea-level gauges at the capital on Saturday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. —KG, GMA News