Tonga - Volcanic eruption and tsunami, update

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 07:01:14 +01:00

According to the United Nations, at least three people have died, and many people are still missing, following the huge volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami waves that affected mostly the archipelago of Tonga on 15 January.
At least 90 people have been evacuated in evacuation centres located in the Island of Eua, 17 km south-east of Tongatapu, the most affected island where around 50 houses have been destroyed, and 50 damaged. Many other displaced people fled to the homes of friends and family. Damage has been also reported across the islands of Mango and Fonoi. Furthermore, the affected undersea telecommunications cable connecting Tonga to the rest of the world will take at least a month to be repaired.
On 18 January 2022, the Government of Tonga requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism through EU Member States/Participating States.
The Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service (EMS) was activated in rapid mapping mode (EMSR558) on 15 January, and two maps have been produced so far.

Tonga - Volcano eruption and tsunami, update

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 06:52:47 +01:00

After the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano (approximately 60 km north of Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga) on 15 January, tsunami waves affected several countries of the Pacific Ocean, particularly Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, USA, Mexico, Peru and Chile.
In addition, a huge amount of ashfall emitted by the volcano has been recorded in Tonga (particularly in Tongatapu Island) and across the islands of Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau in Fiji. The activity of the volcano is still ongoing.
According to media reports, two people have died in northern Peru due to unusually high waves. UN OCHA reports damage to buildings and infrastructure around Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga that was affected by a tsunami wave of 1.2 metres.
Since the damage assessment is still ongoing, the exact needs and the impact on infrastructure and population are still unclear. Phone connections and electricity were down after the eruption, but according to recent reports, the power has been already restored. Nevertheless, the communication with the island remains difficult.
DG ECHO is closely monitoring the situation.