A distress signal has been detected near an isolated, low-lying group of islands in Tonga in the wake of the massive volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations said Monday.
The active distress beacon was picked up near the two islands of Fonoi and Mango in Tonga’s Ha’apai region.
There has been no contact from the Ha’apai group of islands since the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted on Saturday, causing a huge tsunami.
The distress signal has sparked “particular concern” for the inhabitants of the two islands, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
According to the Tonga government, 36 people live on the island of Mango and 69 on Fonoi.
Initial reports indicated there were no mass casualties from the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami — even though the capital, Nuku’alofa, and properties along the island’s western beaches were badly damaged.
Formal assessments, especially of the outer islands, haven’t yet been made public because Tonga’s communication lines were badly damaged as a result of the natural disaster.
Australia and New Zealand sent surveillance flights Monday to assess the damage.
Australia’s Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said early Monday that authorities had visited beaches and reported significant damage with “houses thrown around.”
The Red Cross was mobilizing to help with what it described as the worst volcanic eruption the Pacific has experienced in decades.
The impact of the volcanic eruption was felt as far away as Fiji, New Zealand, the US and Japan.
With Post wires