Tonga govt confirms three deaths

Tonga's government has confirmed three fatalities in its first official update since Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami, and says the evacuation of some outlying islands has begun after the destruction of homes, including an entire village on Mango island.

In a statement on Tuesday, the prime minister's office confirmed the deaths of a 65-year-old woman on Mango Island and a 49-year-old man on Nomuka Island, in addition to a British national. A number of injuries were also reported.

The Tongan navy had deployed with health teams and water, food and tents to the outlying Ha'apai islands, with more aid sent on Tuesday due to the severity of the damage observed on Mango, Fonoifua and Namuka islands, it said.

All the houses were destroyed on Mango island, only two houses remained on Fonoifua, and Namuka island had extensive damage, it said.

Evacuations had begun for Atata island, as well as Mango and Fonoifua, it said.