DFA: Safety of Filipinos in Tonga, Samoa, Fiji ensured after volcanic eruption
A Planet SkySat image shows a plume of smoke rising from the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai days before its eruption on January 15, in Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, Tonga, January 07, 2022. Planet Labs PBC/via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said “coordination efforts” are underway between the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and local authorities in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji to ensure the safety of Filipinos following an underwater volcanic eruption off Tonga that also triggered tsunami waves.
“Coordination efforts with local authorities and community leaders are ongoing to ascertain the situation on the ground and the condition of the Filipinos,” the DFA said in a statement.
There are 87 Filipinos in Tonga, 300 in Samoa, and 400 in Fiji, according to the DFA.
“The Embassy reported residents moving to higher ground and disruptions to communication systems as tsunami waves reached Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji,” the DFA added.
The volcanic eruption damaged internet and phone lines in Tonga’s capital of Nuku’alofa.
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