According to the Queen, she was’shocked’ and’sadened’ by Tonga’s devastating tsunami and that her thoughts and prayers are with all those who were affected.
The Queen sent a message to Tupou VI the nation’s monarch, saying she was aware of how difficult it had been for Tongans since Saturday’s eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano. This caused a tsunami that swept through the country, with up to 50 ft causing havoc on the islands.
The blast severed an underwater internet cable which has cut off communications to most of the nation’s islands and the rest of the world, meaning updates have been few and far between.
While most people cannot use the internet or make international calls, there are some phone networks that work.
Photos have been posted on social media showing how devastation Tonga has suffered since the tsunami. After the devastating volcanic explosion that triggered a tsunami of 50 feet, salt water and ash from the volcano effected crops and drinking water sources in Tonga and caused a massive flood, authorities have warned that food and water shortages are imminent.
Pictures shared by social media shows the extent of the damage caused the tsunami and the earthquake
Tonga was devastated by the tsunami that struck, and Queen Elizabeth has stated she’s’shocked and sorry’. Her ‘thoughts & prayers’ go out to those affected.
He said, “I’m shocked and saddened at the effects of the volcano eruption and tsunami in Tonga.”
“My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are for the Tonga people as they work to repair the damages caused.
“It must be extremely difficult for those who cannot contact their friends and families while communications are interrupted, and I hope they will soon be restored.”
UN officials have reported that the eruption of the volcano has affected approximately 84,000 Tongais, more than 80% of Tonga’s total population.
Officially, there are three deaths and a number of wounded. Tonga does not know how many others may be missing.
UN humanitarian officials reported that 84,000 Tongais, or more than 80% of Tonga’s total population, were affected by the volcanic eruption. Pictured on Thursday: Nuku’alofa in Tonga.
Satellite images show the explosive explosion of volcanoes that caused rapid growth of volcanic clouds
Many people have done extraordinary things to get through the tsunami. One man from Tongan was disabled and swam for 27 hours over eight miles of ocean before he was swept away to sea.
Lisala Folau (57), a retired carpenter was on Atata island with his niece and son around 6pm Saturday. A 20ft wave then carried them miles away from the shore.
He was alone and lost, and spent 27 hours swimming among uninhabited islands, trying unsuccessfully to signal passing vessels. Finally, he reached the mainland and was picked up from the road by a passing vehicle.
Lisala has both problems in her legs, which causes him to walk slower than a baby. He decided to not call for help as he did not want to put his niece or son at risk trying to save him. Both are missing tragically.
Lisala, Tongan Radio Station Broadcom FM spoke about her extraordinary experience. She said that he first heard about the tsunami from his brother.
According to him, the whole family ran outside and climb a tree to get out of the tsunami that washed beneath them.
The family thought the danger was over and climbed down. But then, the island was hit again by another wave. Lisala estimated that the second wave measured more than 20 feet tall. It carried the entire group out to sea.
Stranded miles from shore, Lisala said he could not see his son or niece in the water because it was dark, but he could hear them calling out to him.
The voice of his niece stopped after some time but the son didn’t stop calling.
Lisala Folau, aged 57 and a retired carpenter with limited mobility, was able to swim 8 miles in 27 hours for safety after the Tongan tsunami.
Lisala traveled between Tongatapu’s main island and several other uninhabited islands before reaching safety.
Lisala was found late Sunday by a driver and has since spoken with local radio stations (pictured above).
Lisala explained that he decided to ignore the screaming and to keep his mouth shut because he didn’t want to put the lives of his nephew or son in danger trying to save him.
The truth is, no son can ever leave his father. However, I was his father so I decided to keep my mouth shut because if I spoke up, he could rescue me.
“I thought that if it comes to the worst, then it would be me.”
Lisala finally found a fallen tree, and she decided to hang on to it believing, even if his body was lost, that his family would still have a chance to find him.
But, instead of dying, he actually drifted to nearby Toketoke Island – which is uninhabited – where he arrived early on Sunday morning.
Lisala claimed that he stopped for several hours and used a rag as a signal to two boats passing by, but they didn’t see him.
Then, around 10am Sunday, he made the decision to swim four miles to Polo’a Island – which is also uninhabited – in order to get closer to the mainland.
The swim took Lisala around eight hours and he arrived on Polo’a around 6pm, before swimming more than a mile to Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu.
He was eventually found around 9pm in Sopu, on the outskirts of capital city Nuku’alofa, where he was picked up alive by a passing vehicle.
The view looking out from Nuku’olofa (the Tongan capital), towards the sea. It is near the spot where Lisala was lost for 27 hours.
He was notified by his family. His daughter posted an emotional Facebook message in which she cried all the way through and thanked Jesus for keeping her alive at sea.
Tragically, Lisala’s niece and son are still missing.
Tonga is in chaos since Saturday’s eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano, which caused a tsunami that reached 50ft and ravaged the island.
The damage to the main island was mainly limited to the west coast of the island, where many buildings were destroyed. However, some smaller islands were badly damaged.
Tonga called for international help and described the tragedy as unprecedented.
New Zealand and Australia both sent military transport planes with water containers, temporary shelter kits, generators and other supplies.
To ensure that foreigners don’t spread the coronavirus virus, the deliveries were left without any military personnel touching them.
Ships equipped with water purification equipment are also on the way. They are expected to arrive Friday.
Early Thursday saw the departure of first humanitarian aircraft for Tonga, which carried much-needed aid to the tsunami-ravaged Pacific island nation. Pictured: A helicopter on the deck of HMAS Adelaide en route to Tonga on Wednesday
A C-17A Australian military transport plane loaded with aid parcels is ready to depart Amberley Airport bound for Tonga. It was filled up with water and food supplies.
Tonga’s main international airport has workers wearing PPE to unload assistance packages using a New Zealand transport aircraft.
A Globemaster Australian aircraft flew from Brisbane to assist the victims. Australia donated $1,000,000 to the relief effort. Two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft are expected to arrive today in Tonga.
Australian High Commission to Tonga stated that the vessels were loaded with essential humanitarian supplies and telecommunications equipment in order to reestablish communication between Tonga’s main island, and its remote islands.
HMAS Adelaide, which will be carrying water purification equipment as well as humanitarian supplies, will sail off Brisbane from Friday, according to the statement.
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said the country has sent another C-130 Hercules out of Auckland. The plane will be landing in Nuku’alofa, New Zealand at approximately 4:45 p.m. New Zealand.
Nanaia Mahuta stated in a statement that the aircraft was carrying humanitarian aid, disaster relief supplies and water containers.
According to her, the supply delivery will be non-contact and the plane is likely to stay on the ground until returning to New Zealand for approximately 90 minutes. Tonga declares that it is COVID-19 unaffected and worries about the possibility of aid staff bringing the virus.
Tonga’s aid agencies warned of imminent food and water shortages following the inundation of crops with salt water from the catastrophic volcanic explosion that triggered a tsunami measuring 50ft.