Tonga Faces Massive Cleanup Efforts Following Volcanic Eruption, Tsunami

Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni provided the first official update Tuesday, following the volcanic eruption and tsunami that plunged the nation into chaos on Saturday.

Following the eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai, tsunami waves up to 49 feet hit the west coast of the country’s main island. The main island, Tongatapu, saw 100 houses suffering damage, with 50 destroyed.

The government confirmed there were three deaths and several other people injured. 

On Mango, where 36 people live, there was total devastation. Every house on the island was destroyed. On Fonoifua island, only two houses remain. Nomuka reportedly suffered severe damage. 

“An unprecedented disaster hit Tonga,” Sovaleni said, according to CNN. He said a “volcanic mushroom plume” shrouded the nation’s nearly 170 islands. 

New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry warned that there could be further eruptions of the volcano, posing a tsunami risk.

In the wake of the disaster, the island nation is experiencing a shortage of clean drinking water. The Red Cross said that stagnant pools of saltwater and ash are polluting drinking sources.

“Securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority,” said Katie Greenwood, the Pacific Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. There is an increased risk of illness without it, including diarrhea and other diseases like cholera.

But getting aid to the country has been difficult thanks to ashfall. New Zealand was forced to send navy ships to help thanks to ashfall covering the runway at Tonga’s Fua’amotu International Airport. The ships are scheduled to arrive on Friday. 

Tsunami videos out of Tonga 🇹🇴 this afternoon following the Volcano Eruption. pic.twitter.com/JTIcEdbpGe

— Jese Tuisinu (@JTuisinu) January 15, 2022