Cyclone lays waste to Tonga parliament building

A DEVASTATING cyclone destroyed Tonga’s century-old parliament building after the Pacific nation was hit by winds of more than 140mph.

Cyclone Gita, the worst storm to hit the islands in 60 years and the strongest ever recorded in Nuku’alofa, the capital, levelled houses and tore roofs off buildings, including that of the meteorological agency’s office.

The historic weatherboard parliament building was flattened, throwing the government into disarray.

Lord Fusitu’a, an MP, said some locals in the strongly Christian nation suggested the destruction was an act of God and sent a message to the current government.

“There are people saying, symbolically, what is the message being sent to the country,” he told ABC Radio. “Is the current legislature doing its job? Is that why the building was flattened?”

Expressing sadness at the loss of the historic building, he added: “Successive legislatures over the years have suggested building a new Parliament House, and I guess that’ll be a necessity now.”

The cyclone left tens of thousands of people without power as Tongatapu, the main island, experienced a blackout. Thirty-three people were taken to hospital, three with serious injuries.