January 20
New Zealand has sent a military transport plane loaded with relief supplies to volcano-ravaged Tonga.
The government of Tonga says three people have been confirmed dead and many others were injured by Saturday's massive volcanic eruption.
Photos said to have been taken by a local radio station worker in the capital Nuku'alofa show cars and roads covered in ash.
New Zealand's government sent an air force transport plane to Tonga on Thursday after the airport runway was cleared of volcanic ash.
The aircraft carrying drinking water, communication equipment and other supplies was the first one to carry foreign aid to the island nation since the eruption.
To comply with Tonga's strict anti-coronavirus restrictions, New Zealand says supplies will be unloaded without human contact, and the aircraft will leave within 90 minutes.
NHK
