Tonga: tsunami floods streets and cuts communication after undersea volcano erupts

Warnings issued for Australia, Alaska, Hawaii and US west coast as waves observed in Tonga, American Samoa and Fiji

An undersea volcano erupted in spectacular fashion on Saturday near the Pacific nation of Tonga, sending tsunami waves crashing across the shore and people rushing to higher ground. Tsunami advisories were issued for other Pacific islands, the Australian east coast, Hawaii, Alaska and the US Pacific coast.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or on the extent of the damage because all internet connectivity with Tonga was lost at about 6.40pm local time.