Following a massive undersea volcanic eruption in the island nation of Tonga days earlier, the Tonga government has put out a statement confirming three deaths thus far.

The government said that two locals and a British national had been killed in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption, which was so violent that it was felt in various parts of the world and sent a tsunami across the Pacific. Many more were injured, it added, but did not put a number on the tally of casualties.

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Some of the smaller, outer islands in the small island nation had been completely devastated, the government said, adding that all houses on one island had been wiped out, while only two houses were left standing on another. Dozens of houses on the main island, Tongatapu, had also been damaged, and evacuations from the worst-hit places were underway.

The fallout from the massive eruption has also disrupted aid efforts, with falling ash preventing planes from reaching and landing in the nation. Sea routes have also been disrupted, making it even difficult to get supplies to Tonga. The government statement said that efforts by volunteers were underway to sweep ash off the runway to allow crucial medical supplies and drinking water to reach the island nation.

Communications, meanwhile, have been badly disrupted, so much so that the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that a lone official is handling all communications with the outside world via a satellite phone.

Also read | Volcanic ash delays aid to Tonga as damage reports emerge

The internet remained shutdown at the time of writing this report, and the government has said that some local phone services are still functional. It added that efforts are underway to restore communications with the outside world.

Tonga is a small nation in the South Pacific consisting of 170 small islands, many of which are uninhabited. It is home to roughly 106,000 people.