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An overview of Mango island in the Tonga island group on Aug. 17, 2020
Image: Uncredited/AP/picture alliance

Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation in the South Pacific that is part of Polynesia. Of the archipelago's 177 islands and atolls, only 36 are inhabited.

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All Content on this topic

Russian tanker Boracay, believed to be a part of the Russian 'shadow fleet' pictured from the air off the coast of France in October 2025

Tonga, Cook Islands slam misuse of flags by 'shadow fleet'

Dozens of ships reportedly carrying Iranian oil to China are believed to be flying the flags of the two Pacific nations.
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Australian PM Anthony Albanese speaks to the press.

Pacific Island leaders endorse regional policing plan

The plan for the Pacific is seen as a response to China's influence in the region.
PoliticsAugust 28, 2024
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Tonga's Prime Minister Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni

US top diplomat Blinken visits Tonga, raises alarm on China

Antony Blinken became the first US secretary of state to visit Tonga amid China's growing aspirations in the region.
PoliticsJuly 26, 2023
Sand and trees

Tonga: Tsunami warning lifted after major earthquake

A tsunami warning was issued following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake near the Pacific island nation of Tonga.
CatastropheNovember 11, 2022
debris from damaged building and trees are strewn around on Atata Island in Tonga.

Tonga reconnects to internet after volcano eruption

People in Tonga have reconnected with the world digitally for the first time in five weeks.
CatastropheFebruary 22, 2022
Red Cross teams in Tonga, photo from January 31.

COVID digest: Volcano-hit Tonga in lockdown

Tonga registered two cases as the world was still rushing to deliver aid after last month's devastating eruption.
HealthFebruary 2, 2022
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COVID digest: Austria lifts lockdown for the unvaccinated

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HealthJanuary 26, 2022
The HMAS Adelaide leaving Sydney on its way to Tonga

Tonga: COVID-hit ship gets green light to deliver aid

The Australian ship will follow strict protocols, avoiding any contact with locals to prevent an outbreak.
CatastropheJanuary 26, 2022
In this photo provided by the Australian Defence Force, soldiers load onto HMAS Adelaide at the Port of Brisbane before departing for Tonga Thursday

COVID breaks out on Australian ship heading to Tonga

An Australian naval vessel carrying aid for virus-free Tonga has reported 23 cases of coronavirus.
HealthJanuary 25, 2022
An image released by officials shows a thick layer of ash covering

Tonga eruption: Over 80% of population affected

One week after a massive volcanic eruption, Tonga is in the midst of a massive cleanup operation.
CatastropheJanuary 22, 2022
Tonga international aid

Tonga: International aid arrival hampered by COVID

An Australian aid flight heading to volcano-hit Tonga had to return after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19.
CatastropheJanuary 21, 2022
Personnel wearing personal protection equipment, and a load of humanitarian relief supplies sent by New Zealand are seen next to an aircraft at Fua'amotu International Airport on the island of Tongatapu, Tonga

Tonga: First aid flights finally arrive

Australia and New Zealand sent aircraft carrying much-needed aid, after a volcanic eruption and tsunami hit Tonga.
CatastropheJanuary 20, 2022
In this December 2021 photo, steam rises from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano in Tonga

Tonga eruption: Communications could be down for '4 weeks'

It could take over a month to fix a vital communication link to Tonga following Saturday's eruption, officials said.
CatastropheJanuary 19, 2022
Smoke and ash erupting out of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in 2015

Tonga devastated by volcanic eruption, tsunami — in pictures

The catastrophe wreaked havoc in Tonga and sent tsunami waves that hit coastlines as far as Japan and New Zealand.
CatastropheJanuary 18, 20228 images
In this handout photo provided by the New Zealand Defense Force, an aerial view from a P-3K2 Orion surveillance flight of heavy ash fall on January 17, 2022 Nomuka, Tonga.

Deaths confirmed in Tonga after devastating volcano eruption

Tonga's government released its first statement on the extent of damage on the country's islands.
CatastropheJanuary 18, 2022
A plume of ash rising from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano after it exploded

Tonga: First flights survey aftermath of volcanic eruption

Communication with the Pacific island is still spotty after a massive volcanic eruption that unleashed tsunami waves.
CatastropheJanuary 17, 2022
Volcanic ash rises into the sky after an underwater volcano off the Pacific island of Tonga erupted

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ScienceJanuary 17, 2022
A satellite image taken by a Japanese weather satellite showing an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga

Tsunami hits Tonga after volcanic eruption

Other Pacific islands have issued advisories and have cautioned residents to seek higher ground and avoid shorelines.
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 16, 2022
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