Flights Sent to Assess Tonga Damage after Volcanic Eruption

Associated PressPublished: January 17, 2022

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: A swimmer is seen jumping off rocks at North Bondi Beach on January 16, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. The Nutri-Grain IronMan & IronWoman Series held at Bondi Beach suffered cancellation and beaches along Australia's Queensland and New South Wales coast are closed due to a tsunami warning after an undersea volcano erupted off Tonga. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

By NICK PERRY, Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand and Australia have sent military surveillance flights to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption caused in Tonga.

Communications with the Pacific island nation remain limited since Saturday's eruption.

No casualties have been confirmed on Tonga, although a British woman is reported missing.

Residents who got messages out to the world described a moonscape left by tsunami waves and volcanic ash fall.

The single underwater cable that provides internet and international phone service was likely severed by the eruption.

The ash was contaminating drinking water, and New Zealand is planning to fly water and other supplies to Tonga on Tuesday.

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