Tonga: 150 homes destroyed or damaged by volcanic eruption

At least 50 houses were destroyed and another 100 damaged by the eruption of the submarine volcano in the South Seas archipelago of Tonga.

This was reported by the UN Emergency Relief Office (OCHA) on Tuesday in Geneva.

Two deaths have been confirmed - one of the victims is a local, one a British citizen.

Severe damage near the coast was reported from the capital Nuku'alofa.

However, the health facilities are functioning according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There is concern about the thick layer of ash that may have contaminated water reservoirs.

The population was asked to only drink bottled water.

At the submarine volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, a gigantic cloud of ash and gas was thrown kilometers high on Saturday and triggered tsunami waves.

The 1800 meter high volcano is located 65 kilometers north of Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa.