The United Kingdom says the government would send “vital humanitarian aid” and redeploy a Royal Navy ship to Tonga.
“In response to the devastating eruption in the Pacific Ocean I have instructed HMS Spey to sail to Tonga to assist in the humanitarian aid operation,” Defense Minister Ben Wallace was quoted saying in a statement on Friday.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who was currently in Australia, wrote on Twitter that “as well as sending tents, water, and first aid kits, we are working closely with our Australian friends to support the relief effort.”
The UK-funded assistance consisting of water, tents, and protective equipment would be sent on the Australian naval ship HMAS Adelaide.
However, the UK’s River-class offshore patrol vessel Spey, which was currently alongside on a planned stop in Tahiti, was also being redeployed to the area.
This follows Saturday’s eruption of an underwater volcano that sent tsunami waves onto the shores of the South Pacific archipelago.
A massive volcanic eruption rocked the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai islands, 40 miles north of the capital of Nuku’alofa, on Saturday triggering a powerful tsunami that uprooted trees, damaged and destroyed buildings and vehicles.
The tsunami covered the islands in a layer of ash. At least three lives were reportedly lost in the eruption, which has been ranked as the strongest in the past 30 years.
The largest Tongan island of Tongatapu has declared a state of emergency on its western coast.
(NAN)
