WELLINGTON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A siren system is to be tried on the Tongan island devastated by the recent tsunami, as part of the development of an early warning system.

    Nine people were killed on the island of Niuatoputapu, when the tsunami hit in September.

    Efforts are now underway to identify weaknesses in the country's tsunami warning system and what is needed to address them, Radio New Zealand International reported on Thursday.

    Ofa Fa'anunu, the Director of the Tonga Meteorological Service, was chairing a group, which is formulating evacuation plans, and considering the introduction of an automatic loud siren system and text message warnings.

    He said the trial of a siren system on Niuatoputapu is one of the first steps they will take.

    Ofa Fa'anunu said establishing a siren system would be expensive and difficult, but they are identifying what's needed first and will consider cost later.