Defence Force ready to aid Tonga

Aircraft may leave today if it’s safe to land in Nuku’alofa and ash from the eruption has suffiently dispersed

ADefence Force plane was ready to fly to Tonga after the volcanic eruption and tsunami on Saturday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday.

It might leave today, and a New Zealand Navy vessel was on standby to provide assistance if required.

Ardern said one of the first requests from Tonga was for water, as the ash cloud from the eruption had contaminated supplies.

There had been no official reports of deaths or injuries so far.

Ardern said “at this stage it would be too early” to tell whether there were fatalities.

“Being able to see those satellite images brought home the scale and the violence of that eruption,” she said. “I have family who have ties and links and who work across the region and have satellite communication so that’s where I heard some of that emerging communication.”

New Zealanders working for the Government in Tonga were safe.

Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio said “we’ve got MPS who have linkages back to Tonga, and they are worried. The Pacific are part of our family and so there’s been overwhelming concern from the diaspora here.”

Sio said the impacts of the volcano had been felt across the region.

The Consul-general in Tonga had reported the royal family was well.

The High Commission said north Nuku’alofa had been impacted, with large boulders washed ashore.

Ardern said local mobile phones were working, and told people in Tonga: “Please keep family back in New Zealand informed of your wellbeing if you can.”

The main undersea communications table had been impacted, likely due to the loss of power, and that was why communications had been limited, she said.

More volcanic activity was possible.

“I’ve been in touch with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison today and New Zealand and Australia stand ready to assist our Pacific neighbours,” Ardern said.

Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the Defence Force was ready to deploy: “We are talking now about what’s happening above water, we don’t know what is happening below water. Our people are ready to deploy.”

The C130 Hercules aircraft was also ready to deploy to deliver goods, but this would require making sure it was safe to land in Nuku’alofa, and waiting for ash to disperse to be safe for flying.

Ardern said flights might depart today “we hope”.

An initial $500,000 of aid had been committed from New Zealand as “a starting figure”.

“The Government will provide additional assistance as required,” Ardern said.