January 17th 2022
U.N. concern over distress signal after Tonga volcanic eruption
SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, Jan 17 2022 (Reuters) – A distress signal had been detected in an isolated, low-lying group of islands in the Tonga archipelago following Saturday’s massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said.
Initial reports suggested no mass casualties on the main island of Togatapu, but two people were reported missing and the capital Nuku’alofa was badly damaged.
International communication has been severely hampered by damage to an undersea cable, which could take more than a week to restore, and Australia and New Zealand were assisting with satellite calls, he said.
Telephone networks in Tonga have been restored but ash was posing a major health concern, contaminating drinking water.
Full Reuters article Reuters.com
HF Amateur radio is now being introduced and communications will be monitored should the communications infrastructure become ineffective in any future crises.