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Significant damage reported on Tonga’s main island after volcanic eruption -Breaking

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© Reuters. FILEPHOTO: A volcanic eruption takes place at Hunga Tonga Ha’apai, Tonga’s underwater volcano. This screen capture was taken from a Social Media video. January 14, 20,22. Tonga Geological Services/via REUTERS

SYDNEY / Reuters – There was significant damage along Tonga’s west coast, and a British lady was killed in the tsunami-induced volcanic eruption and tsunami that hit the island over the weekend.

The New Zealand High Commission has reported damage to Tongatapu’s western coast, which is home to many tourist resorts and Nuku’alofa’s waterfront.

Angela Glover (50), the brother of a British lady, claimed she died trying to save the dogs at the rescue shelter that she set up in South Pacific Archipelago with her husband.

Glover’s brother Nick Eleini confirmed that her body was found. TVNZ, a New Zealand broadcaster reported that she had been swept by the waves and her husband was able to keep hold of a tree.

The South Pacific archipelago has remained largely cut off from the world since the eruption on the uninhabited volcanic island of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai cut its main undersea communications cable.

The entire island was covered in a thick layer of ash, according to the High Commission. It also stated that it is working hard to establish communication with smaller islands as a priority.

A distress signal was reported by the United Nations in an isolated area of low-lying Ha’apai Islands. The UN also stated that it is concerned about Fonoi, Mango, and Mango. The Tonga government reports that 36 residents live on Mango, while 69 are on Fonoi.

Satellite images posted by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) showed that there were numerous structural damage on Nomuka.

OCHA stated that “further volcanic activity can not be ruled out”, citing only minor injuries, but stressing the need for formal assessments of outer islands.

Australia and New Zealand launched surveillance flights on Monday to evaluate damage. Australia’s Minister For the PacificZed Seselja reported that Australian police have visited beaches, and found significant damage.

The Ha’atafu Beach Resort, on the Hihifo peninsula, 21 km(13 miles) west of the capital Nuku’alofa, was “completely wipedout”, the owners said on Facebook (NASDAQ:).

Fiji, New Zealand and the United States felt the effects of this huge eruption as far as Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, America, Japan, and New Zealand. High waves from the tsunami caused two drownings on a Peruan beach. Japanese officials reported multiple evacuations.

The island of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai all but disappeared following the blast, according to satellite images from around 12 hours later, making it difficult for volcanologists to monitor ongoing activity. Experts stated that the volcano had been bubbling away since about one month before Saturday’s eruption.

Red Cross stated that it is mobilizing its network in response to what the Red Cross called the most severe volcanic eruptions the Pacific had seen for decades.

Alexander Matheou is the Asia Pacific Director of the Red Cross. He stated that water purification was essential to eliminate ash contamination and provide shelter for families.

Communication issues have impeded relief efforts. Samiuela Fonua (chair of Tonga Cable) stated that there were two breaks in the subsea communication cable. These would need to be repaired once volcanic activity ceases.

Fonua said that the condition at the time was still very messy.

COVID-19 RISK

Tonga’s deputy head of mission in Australia, CurtisTu’ihalangingie, said Tonga was concerned about the risk of aiddeliveries spreading COVID-19 to the island, which isCOVID-free.

Tu’ihalangingie, who spoke to Reuters via telephone, said that they don’t want another tsunami ofCOVID-19 and urged the public not to rush to announce a disaster relief fund.

Tonga’s aid would have to be quarantined. It is likely that no foreign personnel will be permitted to board aircraft.

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