Source: China News Network
China News Network, January 17, comprehensive foreign media reported on the 17th, a diplomatic official in Tonga said that because of concerns about the introduction of the new crown virus, the Tongan government may not allow foreign rescuers to land on the island, and any aid sent to the country also needs to be quarantined. In addition, domestic communications in Tonga have been largely restored, but external communications will not be resumed for at least a week.
On January 17, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used the GOES-West meteorological satellite to capture the moment of the volcanic eruption in Tonga. The moment the Tonga volcano erupted, the huge cloud was clearly visible.
According to reports, on the 14th and 15th local time, a violent submarine volcanic eruption occurred in the South Pacific island country of Tonga and caused a tsunami. Australia's Pacific Affairs Minister Zed Seselja said preliminary reports showed the eruption and tsunami had not caused mass casualties but caused significant damage and "homes were thrown everywhere".
According to the report, many countries have expressed their willingness to provide assistance to Tonga. Curtis Tu'ihalangingie, a Tongan diplomat in Australia, said the Tongan government was discussing rescue priorities. "Tonga is concerned that aid will spread COVID-19 to islands without it" and that "we don't want another tsunami, a covid-19 tsunami," he said. ”
Tuiharangengi also said any aid sent to Tonga would require quarantine and would likely not allow foreign personnel to disembark.
On the other hand, it was previously reported that due to the damage to submarine communication lines caused by volcanic eruptions, Tonga's external communications are basically interrupted. New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said on the 17th that Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa has restored 80% of electricity. Tuihalan Jinji said that domestic communications in Tonga have been basically restored, and it will take at least a week for external communications to be restored.
On January 15, the Japanese meteorological satellite Himawari-8 captured the eruption of The Tonga Volcano, with large areas of ash and gas rising and clearly visible from space.
He also said that volcanic ash poses major health risks and can contaminate drinking water. "Most people don't know that volcanic ash is toxic, that ash is bad for breathing, and they have to wear a mask."
New Zealand Radio quoted the country's Foreign Minister Mahuta as saying on the 17th that according to the New Zealand government's preliminary understanding of the disaster situation, Tonga is currently most in need of drinking water and water storage equipment, food and medical supplies.