19 Jan 2022

Tonga Eruption update with Susana Laiataua

From Summer Times, 9:10 am on 19 January 2022

Three people are confirmed dead after the explosive eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, and the tsunami which followed. Recent surveillance images reveal catastrophic damage, with buildings in villages washed away or badly damaged, roofs covered with ash and trees uprooted. We're heading to our RNZ Pacific News Editor Susana Laiataua, with the last news from Tonga.

Fonoifua Island in Ha'apai, Tonga, as seen from an NZDF P-3 Orion reconnaisance flight after the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai. The image caption says all but the largest buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.

Photo: NZDF