Results for Tonga

Eleven people on Pangaimotu Island climbed into a fau tree as tsunamis ravaged the coast of the low-lying atoll on Jan. 15, following the massive explosion at Hunga volcano.

An intoxicated driver, Siuta Taufa (25), who was speeding to get home before the midnight curfew, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of his passenger in an accident on Taufa‘ahau Road, at Malapo in July 2021. They had had been drinking alcohol and taking methamphetamine. He awaits sentencing.

With a little help from the Tongan tug boat, the Australian Defence Force staff docked the HMAS Adelaide themselves, at Vuna Wharf in Tonga yesterday evening, after fears over COVID-19 transmission. There are 29 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on board the ship that berthed at 6:39 pm.

Sixty two survivors, including about 18 children and babies, evacuated from Mango Island, Ha'apai Group, were brought to Tongatapu on Saturday Jan. 22 by a Tongan navy patrol boat. Two Tonga Red Cross trauma counsellors were meeting the families and talking to them after their extraordinary ordeal. The community leaders have shared their stories of survival. By Linny Folau and Eleanor Gee

“The people that can withstand difficulties are those that stand together,” King Tupou VI said in an address to the nation that was recorded over the telephone from hi residence in ‘Eua and broadcasted on local radio at around 6:00pm, Thursday January 20.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES, Saturday, January 22, 2022: We are emotional. One week after the catastrophic Hunga explosion and multiple tsunamis in Tonga, we have a chance to let you, our readers, know that we at Matangi Tonga are fine. You may have seen reports coming out of Tonga by satellite phone and through a few people who have full internet access. Tonga is dealing with a disruptive catastrophe. From our office we felt the massive blast of the Hunga eruption and watched many powerful tsunami waves arrive. We have articles and reports to bring you, but right now we're just saying “we're back - and thanks for all the well wishes and concerns”. We will upload our articles and photos when and as we can. 'Ofa atu, Pesi and Mary Lyn Fonua

Mikaele Hoponoa Pahulu (42) was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months imprisonment for manslaughter in a sadistic, brutally violent attack on a frail 71-year-old patient at the Psychiatric Ward in Vaiola Hospital. “This was manslaughter just short of murder, possibly only because that was not charged. Why murder was not charged has never been explained,” said the Supreme Court judge. “It is just barbaric.” Another person stood alongside, watched and walked away leaving the victim unconscious on the ground.

Today's eruption of the Hunga volcano, continuous for over 12 hours, reached 20km above sea level - the largest in a series of eruptions since December. Tsunami waves of up to 30cm were still being recorded at 6:00pm on the Nuku'alofa tidal gauge, according to the latest official monitoring reports.

A plume of ash, steam and gas has dispersed at a radius of 250km from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai Volcano over Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u and Ha’apai group, Tonga Geological Services advised at 12:45pm today.