View of Nomuka, Tonga, covered in ash from the volcano. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
View of Nomuka, Tonga, covered in ash from the volcano. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force - ANU academics with family and friends in Tonga say panic and a lack of clear information are hampering search and rescue efforts in the wake of the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano. Two Tongan academics at The Australian National University (ANU) say panic and a lack of clear information are hampering search and rescue efforts in the wake of the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano. Researcher Dr Gemma Malungahu and PhD scholar Amelia Faotusia, both from the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, are deeply concerned about family and friends as aid from Australia and other nations begins to arrive. They say Tongans are also concerned about the risk of aid deliveries spreading COVID-19 to the island, which is free of the virus. The volcano eruption could be seen from numerous satellites, triggered a tsunami on the shores of Tonga and cut off phone and internet access. Dr Malungahu said there has been panic in and around the capital, Nuku'alofa, and no clear information on the extent of the damage across the rest of the country.
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