A strong earthquake struck the western coast of New Zealand's South Island on Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue an immediate tsunami warning and order coastal evacuations.
The quake registered between magnitude 5.9 and 6.3, with varying measurements reported by different seismic agencies. It was detected 24 miles north of Te Anau, off Fiordland National Park in a sparsely populated region of the island.
The National Emergency Management Agency warned that a damaging tsunami was possible and urged residents in coastal areas from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point to move to higher ground immediately. The tsunami alert was later downgraded by officials.