Tonga volcano: distress signal detected in low-lying islands after eruption, as first death reported

Regular contact with Tonga may not resume for weeks after confirmation the communications cable was cut in at least one place

A distress signal has been detected in an isolated, low-lying group of Tongan islands after Saturday's huge volcanic eruption, even as most external communications remain down, and diaspora families anxiously await news.

Reuters reports that the UN detected the distress signal on Monday, prompting particular concern for the inhabitants of Fonoi and Mango. According to the Tonga government, 36 people live on Mango and 69 on Fonoi.