Images taken by the New Zealand Defence Force’s reconnaissance aircraft showed just some of the damage Tonga is facing
Reconnaissance images revealed extensive damages suffered by Tonga’s outer islands from Saturday’s massive undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami, raising fears of unreported deaths and injuries as the presence of volcanic ash on an airport runway delayed international aid to the Pacific island nation.... [+]Images taken by the New Zealand Defence Force’s reconnaissance aircraft showed an entire village destroyed on Tonga’s Mango island and numerous buildings missing on the nearby Atata island.
New Zealand’s High Commission in Tonga said local police have so far confirmed two deaths from the tsunami—one of whom was a British national—but the true casualty count remains unclear as the island’s communications largely remained cut off from the rest of the world. The New Zealand military has been attempting to send in drinking water and other critical supplies to the small island nation but deposits of volcanic ash on the airport runway delayed such an effort.
According to the Tongan Navy, the low lying Ha'apai group of islands were hit by tsunami waves estimated to be 5-10 meters high.United Nations humanitarian officials also reported significant infrastructural damages across the island, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
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