Media Release 16 August 2007
3.50pm

Update
No tsunami risk to NZ from Peruvian earthquake

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has cancelled the tsunami warning and watch it issued earlier today.

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said that the earlier warning and watch had been issued following an earthquake off the coast of Peru.

PTWC stated in its final bulletin about the earthquake that its readings indicated that a tsunami was generated and it might have been destructive along the western coast of Central and South America. Casualties have been reported but the causes are, as yet, unclear.

No tsunami threat existed for other areas and there is no risk to New Zealand.

This media release updates the release issued by the Ministry at 1pm today.