Tonga 26 Aug, (V7N)- A magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted Tonga on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor occurred as foreign leaders gathered in the capital, Nuku'alofa, for the Pacific Islands Forum, where United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among the key delegates.

The offshore earthquake struck at a depth of about 106 kilometers (66 miles) and caused brief evacuations from coastal businesses to higher ground. However, no tsunami warning was issued, and the forum's activities quickly resumed despite the initial disruption.

Tonga, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to seismic activity. The region regularly experiences earthquakes due to its location on this arc of intense tectonic activity. The nation also endured significant damage in 2022 when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption caused widespread devastation, including a tsunami and ashfall across the archipelago.