The Pacific island nation of Tonga has made a plea for humanitarian aid following the volcanic eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai. It has called for fresh water and food as communication remains down.
Parliament speaker Lord Fakafanua says the full extent of the harm to lives and property is still unclear at this stage.
The volcano exploded on Saturday. It is said to be the biggest eruption since Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991. The eruption triggered a tsunami.
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption in numbers:
- Triggered a 30cm tsunami in Tonga
- Eruption had a radius of 260 km and sent ash, steam and gas up to 20 km into the sky.
- Eruption was seven times more powerful than one recorded on December 20, at the same volcano
