Tonga says it is suffering an “unprecedented catastrophe”, with many missing Volcanic News

In its first official statement on Saturday’s volcanic eruption and tsunami, the government has confirmed at least three deaths.

The Tongan government says the Pacific island nation is facing an “unprecedented catastrophe” after a major volcanic eruption caused a tsunami and covered parts of the country’s 100,000-population population with thick volcanic ash.

In the first statement since the submarine volcano Southern Ha’apai people It exploded on Saturday, with the Prime Minister’s Office confirming the death of at least three people on Tuesday night, including a British woman.

“As a result of the eruption, a volcanic mushroom was released reaching the stratosphere and radially covering the entire island of Tonga, creating tsunami waves rising to 15 meters (49 feet), hitting the west coast of the Tongatapu Islands,‘ Eua and Ha. ‘the islands of the apai’, the statement said.

“Due to the seriousness of the damage detected,” the government said additional rescue teams had been sent to the islands of Mango, Fonoifua and Nomuka. All the houses in Mango – a sign of distress – were destroyed and only two were left standing in Fonoifua, while there was heavy damage in Nomukan, he said.

Tongan navy vessels were being sent to the affected islands with an urgent supply of water and food, and efforts were also being made to evacuate them from the affected areas.

The largest eruption in Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 was a cataclysmic blow heard in Fiji more than 750 kilometers (466 miles) away.

They are carrying two New Zealand Navy ships, rescue teams and equipment, and loaded with supplies, are already on their way to Tongara.

Attempts to respond to the disaster are being hampered by communications problems following the eruption of the islands’ submarine cable and the thick ash covering the runway at the country’s main airport.