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BEIJING, Jan. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

A Chinese employee currently working in Tonga described the rare volcano

eruption and his current status in an exclusive interview with CGTN through

satellite telephone on Wednesday, saying he and colleagues are relying on

bottled water bought from supermarkets to survive.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImAkLWWDg8

"I think all the people are safe," Zhao Yongming, an employee of China Civil

Engineering Construction Corporation in Tonga, told CGTN. "But we are not sure

if the water is contaminated by the falling ashes or not."

He said the most urgent thing to do now is to restore cellular and internet

services.

Recall of eruption

Zhao described what he experienced after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga

Ha'apai volcano, which some have dubbed a once-in-a-millennium event.

"About 5 p.m., the eruption happened," he said. "Half an hour later, I saw the

falling ash around."

"[The ash] also covered the sky. The whole sky is quite dark," he said.

According to Zhao's description, the falling ash blocked traffic and damaged

crops.

He said he also saw ash "hanging on the trees."

People 'worried' about what will happen next

Zhao told CGTN that the local people are "very worried" about what will happen

in the aftermath of the eruption.

"Most of the places are in restriction," he told CGTN. "And the communication

is still shut down, so we are not able to reach others."

The local government is "doing what it can" to provide relief, he said. "They

allocated some machinery to clear the road."

Zhao said some of his colleagues and some locals are also trying to clear the

road.

3G is on the way

The Chinese Embassy in Tonga helped Zhao and his colleagues contact his

company's headquarters in China.

"We worked with the embassy to get the latest information," he said. "Now, we

can contact our colleagues in China through our own satellite phone."

In addition to satellite communications, the cellular network is also being

restored.

Anthony Seuseu, CEO of telecom operator Digicel, told CGTN that the phone

company might get 3G up on the island within the next 24 to 48 hours.

"On the first flights arrived into Tonga from both New Zealand and Australia,

we worked with the government to get them to put some of our equipment on

there, satellite equipment, which will allow us to boost the capacity," he

said. "So, in the next 24 to 48 hours, we will install the new satellite

equipment."

"We will then be able to provide customers with email, with internet browsing,

which the industry calls 3G, not quite 4G yet, but 3G."

China also provided supplies to Tonga on Wednesday, including drinking water

and food.

The Red Cross Society of China has also donated a total of $100,000 in

emergency cash aid to the country, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao

Lijian confirmed at a regular press conference on Thursday.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-21/Exclusive-Chinese-employee-in-Tonga-relies-on-bottled-water-to-live-16Z4GibX4EE/index.html

SOURCE: CGTN