Over 100 families have been evacuated in Palauli and Satupaitea after a huge wave struck the coastline, crashing into homes, leaving damages.

This is the aftermath of the volcanic eruption in Tonga at 5:26 pm (local time) Saturday 15th January 2022.

They have been evacuated to higher grounds by the Ministry of Police and Prisons, said Acting Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.

A caller from, Vailoa Palauli, told Radio Polynesia a wave struck their home and this occurred close to 6pm.

He said that several families homes near the coastline were damaged as a result including his residence.

Meanwhile the Samoa Meteorology office said they were unaware that any wave had struck the Savaii Island.

An advisory has been issued by the Met office at 7:30 pm, more than an hour after the volcano erupted in Tonga.