Thick layer of volcanic ash covers Tonga's islands as the first images emerged from the Pacific island nation since it was hit by a massive undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Aerial and satellite photos revealed the scale of the damage from the weekend’s eruption, which the country’s government said had caused an “unprecedented disaster.”
Photos showed trees, buildings, green spaces and roads on the normally lush islands now covered by a sea of dark gray ash, as well as water from giant waves that washed onto land after the eruption. The government also sent emergency teams Tuesday to the Fonoifua, Mango and Nomuka islands, where there was extensive damage. Other islands in the kingdom, however, have yet to be contacted by outside officials.
Two cuts to the cable could not be fixed until volcanic activity ceased, allowing repair crews access, said Samiuela Fonua, the chair of Tonga Cable, according to Reuters.
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