Dramatic images show Tonga covered in ash after volcanic eruption

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Dramatic pictures have emerged showing Tonga covered in ash after a huge undersea volcanic eruption.

A plume of smoke can be seen rising from Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano in images taken before the eruption, with the volcanic island appearing to have all but disappeared afterwards.

The pictures have emerged as Australia and New Zealand sent military surveillance flights to assess damage to the Pacific island nation, efforts which had been delayed due to the towering ash cloud preventing earlier flights.

Tonga comprises 176 islands, only 36 of them inhabited, with a population of just over 104,000 people.

It has been largely cut off from the world after the eruption cut off its undersea communications cable, and repairs will take some time as there is still some volcanic activity in the area.

Tonga’s main island Tongatapu has reported “significant infrastructural damage”, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

But Mr Dujarric added: “There has been no contact from the Ha’apai group of islands, and we are particularly concerned about two small low-lying islands – Mango and Fonoi – following surveillance flights confirming substantial property damage.”

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What’s the extent of the damage?

According to Tonga’s government, 36 people live on Mango and 69 on Fonoi.

Photos were released on Facebook from a NZ Defence Force report which shows the extent of damage on some of Tonga’s islands. It shows:

o Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa has suffered “limited to moderate” damage, with some flooding and a lawyer of ash covering buildings and vehicles

o The Ha’apai group of islands – 51 islands, 17 of them inhabited – has had “extensive” damage, with “all but the largest buildings destroyed or severely damaged”

o Mango has suffered “catastrophic” damage, with the entire village having been destroyed

o Nearby Atata has also suffered “catastrophic” damage, with many buildings missing

Image: Atata island. Pic: NZDF

Image: Ha’apai – a group of islands in Tonga. Pic: NZDF

Image: Mango island. Pic: NZDF

New Zealand’s military has sent drinking water and other supplies, but these have been delayed by thick ash on an airport runway.

The country has also sent two navy ships and has pledged an initial one million New Zealand dollars (?498,000) towards recovery efforts.

Australia said it has sent a naval ship from Sydney to Brisbane, so it can sail for Tonga if the Tongan government requests further help.

These four pictures show the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano at different stages in the months, weeks, and hours before the eruption:

Image: 10 April, 2021. Pic: Satellite image (C)2022 Maxar Technologies

Image: 6 January, 2022. Pic: Satellite image (C)2022 Maxar Technologies

Image: Two hours before eruption. Pic: Planet Labs PBC

Image: 18 January, 2022. Pic: Satellite image (C)2022 Maxar Technologies

The UN World Food Program is also exploring how to bring in relief supplies, though one complicating issue is that Tonga has managed to avoid outbreaks of COVID-19.

New Zealand has said its military staff are vaccinated and willing to follow Tonga’s protocols.

Meanwhile, the damage to communications has meant that the number of casualties is not yet clear.

Image: The view from a NZ Defence Force P-3K2 Orion aircraft over Tonga. Pic: NZDF

Image: A New Zealand Defence Force P-3K2 Orion surveillance flight over Tonga

New Zealand’s Acting High Commissioner for Tonga, Peter Lund, has said there were unconfirmed reports of up to three fatalities on Tonga so far.

One death has been confirmed, with the family of British woman Angela Glover, 50, saying she was swept away by a wave.

Nick Eleini said his sister’s body had been found and that her husband survived.

“I understand that this terrible accident came about as they tried to rescue their dogs,” Mr Eleini told Sky News.