St Mary's Cathedral in Tonga at a commemoration service for the first anniversary of the devastating Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption which took place on 15 January 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Tonga is commemorating the devastating Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption, which was one year ago today.
Three people died in the tsunami that followed in what was the largest eruption ever recorded, and the ashfall turned the whole archipelago grey.
The congregation at today's service at Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
St Mary's Cathedral in Tonga.
Church services will be held in Tonga and also in Aotearoa to mark the anniversary of the disasters.
"The Sunday services, is to thank the Lord that we're still here and to acknowledge our various partners. And we hope that things will keep getting better," Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi SovaleniHu'akavameiliku said.
To mark the anniversary of the eruption an exhibition is also being held. Hu'akavameiliku also noted that Tongans also reflected on the impact of the disaster through their strong spiritual communities.
A wreath being laid at the commemoration service at St Mary's Cathedral. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The congregation at St Mary's during today's service. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver