Tonga avoids widespread disaster despite huge volcano blast

New Zealand’s military is sending fresh water and other much-needed supplies, but said on Tuesday the ash covering Tonga’s main runway will delay the flight at least another day

In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defence Force, volcanic ash covers roof tops and vegetation in an area of Tonga (Cpl Vanessa Parker/NZDF via AP)

Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared would follow last week’s violent undersea volcanic eruption.

In its first update since the eruption, the government on Tuesday confirmed three deaths — two local residents and a British woman.