Tonga’s internet finally restores 5 weeks after big eruption

Agencies | New Zealand

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Tonga’s main internet connection to the rest of the world has finally been restored more than five weeks after a huge volcanic eruption and tsunami severed a crucial undersea cable.

Three people in Tonga were killed because of the tsunami, dozens of homes were destroyed and drinking water was tainted.

The fibre-optic cable is now fully operational again after being reconnected, said Samiuela Fonua, the chairperson at Tonga Cable Ltd.

Fonua said the crew aboard a repair ship replaced about 90 kilometres of cable that had been damaged by the tsunami, The AP reported.

He needed to borrow some cables from other companies. Tonga Cable can now focus on repairing a second severed cable that connects some of the outer islands to the main island.