That of Tonga was the worst volcanic eruption of the last 30 years and beyond on the entire planet, comparable to that of the Pinatubo volcano, in the Philippines, in 1991, which caused 1,450 deaths. This is what some experts cited by CNN say, and specifying that the consequences of the submarine eruption that took place last Saturday in the archipelago still remain to be understood and quantified, followed by a tsunami that hit a large part of the Pacific.
There are currently two official victims in Tonga, including a British woman, but it is feared that the consequences of the tsunami could be much worse, especially for the most exposed islets, while even in Peru there are two victims from the waves.
Aerial photos released by the New Zealand Defense Forces show the Ha'pai Islands, in the center of the archipelago, completely covered with gray ash from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai underwater volcano. Satellite images show a similar scene in the Kolofo'ou district, in the capital located on the main island of Tonga.
There are now fears of the possible contamination of water and food reserves, with humanitarian aid hindered by the partial unusability of the airport, covered by a thick layer of ash.
New Zealand, which promised aid but was unable to send it by plane, said it would send two Navy ships, but its defense minister, Peeni Henare, added that it would take three days to reach Tonga. The two ships, the Wellington and the Aotearoa, will carry a Seasprite helicopter, as well as humanitarian and relief supplies, mainly water.
Among the ascertained damages - adds CNN - those to an important submarine communication cable that connects Tonga to Fiji and that ensures digital connectivity between the archipelago and the rest of the world. Repairs cannot begin before February.
(Unioneonline / vl)