The cascading disasters caused by the volcanic eruption on the tonga seafed triggered a temporary disappearance of the whole territory, which caused global concern. On January 19, Nandu reporters learned from many sources that more and more local residents have called the outside world through satellite communication or successfully sent text messages. A foreign trade practitioner in Fujian told Nandu reporters that she received a call from a business partner in Tonga in the early morning, requesting the delivery of a power generation instrument that had just arrived ashore before the eruption.
Nandu previously reported that the Tongan government issued a statement on the 18th that the submarine volcanic eruption in the country has caused 3 people to die (2 locals and 1 British), and many people have been injured. The island's water supply is greatly affected by volcanic ash. Volunteers have been clearing runways at major airports to get planes to deliver much-needed drinking water and supplies to the ground, where both maritime and air transport faces enormous challenges. Tonga's communications network was disrupted and work was under way to restore full communications.
In the early morning of January 18, an email from a strange sender arrived at the mailbox of Li Haiying, a Fujian foreign trade businessman, with only one line: "Everything is fine on Wahuau Island, don't worry about me." You can write back to me at the café on the island. The message bears a familiar name, Jet, her husband in Tonga.
An email sent by Wang Zhe to Li Haiying. Courtesy of respondents
This email could not be replied to directly, and she replied via the indicated portal. The number of characters in the letter was severely limited, "just like the telegram, it may be that there are many people queuing up, or it may be a technical limitation, but at least, it is possible to talk directly with him (Wang Zhe)." ”
Kate Walker, a New Zealander who helps Locals in Tonga relay messages to the outside world, told Nandu that she had relatives and business partners on The Island of Wavau, Tonga's second largest island, and was fortunate that "one of the sailors on the team had a satellite communication handset that could send text messages." 12 hours after the eruption, we began to update the situation on Wawau Island regularly. ”
Kate's conversation with Lee Hae-young. Courtesy of respondents
A Tongan in Australia confirmed to nandu reporters on the 19th that from Australia, it can be connected with the main island of Tonga (that is, tongatapu island where the capital Nuku'alofa is located) by satellite phone, which can last 5 to 10 minutes.
By the early hours of January 19, Li Haiying's Chinese mobile phone number received two calls from Tonga for the first time. One phone call came from her husband, Wang Zhe, and the other from a business partner on the main island of Tonga, who asked her to deliver a power generation instrument. "The phone signal was very poor, but I could understand what the other person was saying, and it took about three minutes to hang up." She tried to call back but couldn't get through.
Li Haiying told Nandu reporters that her husband had sent her some domestic phone numbers by email, and it was other relatives of Chinese in Tonga who asked her to report safety on her behalf.
Written by: Intern He Jiahao Nandu reporter Lin Zipei