Despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently on Saturday,Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared.
The Tongan government released a statement saying three people had died so far from the eruption and tsunami.
The last time Sikahema Aholelei spoke to his family in Tonga was on Saturday night at the very moment the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted.
The country has so far been free of the disease.
The people of Tonga witnessed a catastrophic event. We must hope there are no further eruptions.
The extent of damage in Tonga following a volcanic eruption remains unknown,with authorities yet to make contact with some coastal areas and smaller islands.
University of Auckland Professor Shane Cronin,a volcanologist,says there will “almost certainly be more eruptions” in the next few days and weeks.
Assistance is coming to Tonga,but a massive ash cloud from the volcano blast must clear enough for aircraft to reach the island nation.
Four people in San Mateo County,south of San Francisco,were swept into the water,and two were taken to a hospital,a spokeswoman from the local fire department said.
Australia has always done everything possible to bring home citizens caught in a disaster overseas,until now.
Ten years after the tsunami hit Japan’s east coast,the survivors are still rebuilding their lives. Many are grateful for the Australians that lent a hand.