The death toll is at one from severe Tropical Cyclone Gita on the night of Monday February 12, while three people suffering major injuries were admitted to Vaiola Hospital, in Nuku'alofa.

Police said today that a 72-year-old man from Fua’amotu died from a heart attack during the cyclone. He died before arriving at Vaiola Hospital.

The hospital reported that the cyclone could have contributed to the circumstances of his death.

No other deaths have been reported in Tongatapu during the cyclone, and police have also received no report of deaths from ‘Eua at this stage.

Major injuries

In the meantime, three people who sustained major injuries are being monitored closely at the hospital.

One of them, a Chinese-Tongan woman from Ma’ufanga is in critical condition with severe head injuries. It is understood she is Ying, a hairdresser from Ma'ufanga, who lived behind Davina House. It is understood that Ying needs to undergo surgery either tonight or tomorrow.

Minor injuries

At the same time, 30 people were treated for minor injuries during and after the cyclone.

A policeman was also rushed to hospital during the cyclone after he was injured by a falling branch from a mango tree. The policeman was part of an emergency response team of defence and police who responded to a call from a family in the Nuku’alofa area for evacuation.

While helping the family move he was injured from the falling branch. He is in a stable condition.

Police are expected to make more updates after meeting with the National Emergency Management Centre (NEMO) today.