Chiefs on Wallis have removed a tsunami warning siren because they objected to it having been installed above a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The siren by the cathedral of Mata Utu has reportedly been out of order for several weeks.
The French administrator, Philippe Paolantoni, says the siren had been installed two years ago and until now it posed no problems.
He says a new place has to be found for the siren, adding that he hopes no alarm will have to be sounded before the job has been completed.
There are three more such sirens on the island, all of which have also been mounted on churches.
