Wellington: According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 struck New Zealand early on Tuesday. The NCS shared the earthquake’s information in a post on X, stating that it happened 10 kilometers off the South Island of New Zealand’s west coast.

“EQ of M: 6.5, On: 25/03/2025 07:13:11 IST, Lat: 46.78 S, Long: 166.28 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Off W. Coast of South Island New Zealand,” it said on X.

Mark Mitchell, the Emergency Management and Recovery Minister of New Zealand, provided updates and follow-ups.

He asked people to avoid the beach and aquatic bodies, stating in a post on X that there is a risk of danger close to the coast.

Mitchell pointed out that strong and irregular currents would be encountered and that an emergency mobile alert was therefore sent out for the island’s bottom.

“The South Island’s bottom has been the subject of an emergency mobile alert. Although evacuations are not necessary, there may be hazards in the vicinity of the coast. We are requesting that people avoid the sea and the beach. Unusual and powerful currents might be encountered.

A nationwide tsunami alert was issued by New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

It said that after the earthquake, New Zealand’s coastal regions might anticipate erratic shoreline surges.

It said that the South Island’s West Coast, from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point, is in danger.

NEMA urged people to stay out of the ocean, away from beaches and coastal regions, and away from harbors, marinas, rivers, and estuaries, emphasizing that there is still risk for swimmers, surfers, fishermen, and anyone else near the sea.
“People on boats, live-aboards, and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore,” it went on to explain. Return to boats only when directed to do so by authority.

Although there is now no need to evacuate any regions, NEMA said that “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours, and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled.”

After an evaluation of the material that was available, NEMA released the information. It urged people to monitor www.civildefence.govt.nz or tune in to the radio or television for updates.