Tsunami hits Tonga after ‘catastrophic’ volcano eruption
Tsunami waves have hit the Kingdom of Tonga after a volcano eruption, which has sent residents fleeing to higher ground.
Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai has erupted several times over the past week, including Friday, but the latest on Saturday afternoon (local time) sent ash up to about 15,800 metres altitude, according to South Pacific journalist Michael Field, citing the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Wellington.
Images show a huge plume of ash covering Tonga’s main island and fast-moving waves making landfall.
Tonga Meteorological Services shared maps showing the spread of the ash over the islands.
“This is an image of the eruption, it covers the whole of the Ha’apai, Tongatapu and Eua island groups,” the agency said.
Tongatapu is a mostly flat island, with its highest point only 28m above sea level.
Huge traffic jam as residents try to flee
One local told Yahoo News the eruption was “catastrophic”, and there was ash and volcanic rock raining down on the country’s capital, Nuku’alofa.
Another said she was stuck in traffic attempting to flee to higher ground, and within an hour the sky had become as black as night.
One family attending choir practise at a local church were caught off-guard when seawater began surging through the building.
Outside the window of the church, rapidly moving water can be seen slamming into the side of homes.
According to multiple residents, no tsunami sirens were activated.
Tsunami waves crash through homes in Tonga after eruption
Dramatic footage shows waves rolling through coastal Tongan homes following a massive underwater eruption that prompted a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation.
The Tongan Meterological Service issued the warning for all of Tonga on Saturday evening, after ongoing underwater volcanic activity.
It comes after Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai erupted again on Friday, sending ash, steam and gas 20 kilometres into the air, RNZ reported.
Mere Taufa said she was inside the house with her family, getting ready for dinner when they heard and felt the eruption shortly after 7pm.
“It was massive, the ground shook, our house was shaking. It came in waves, my younger brother thought bombs were exploding nearby,” Taufa said.
“My first instinct was to take cover under the table, I grabbed my little sister, and screamed at my parents and others in the house to do the same.”
She said next thing they knew water had filled their home.
“We just new straight away it was a tsunami. Just water gushing into our home.”
She saw the walls of one of her neighbours’ homes collapsed, from her own window.
“You could just hear screams everywhere, people screaming for safety, for everyone to get to higher grounds.”
Locals worried about what the night will bring
Tevita Sailosi carried his elderly grandmother to the roof of their Nuku’alofa home after the tsunami hit.
He said he knew a volcano had erupted when he heard an eruption earlier.
“We’re still in shock to be honest, first we heard the explosion, and then water was in our house,” Sailosi said.
His family was safe but was worried about what the night would bring.
Tongans, a Polynesian group, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants of Tonga. The rest are European (the majority are British), mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese. Almost two-thirds of the population live on its main island, Tongatapu.
Petty crime and theft can occur in Tonga. … Home invasions and property theft are an issue, so keep your doors and windows locked when you leave your accommodation. Violent robberies are rare, however use caution when walking around at night. Travel in groups and avoid isolated areas and suspicious people.