Volcanic eruption wrecks havoc in New Zealand

New Zealand has sent a plane to Tonga to assess the damage after a huge volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami.

The eruption has covered the pacific islands in ash, cut power and severed communications.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told newsmen that up to 80,000 people there could be affected

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern said the tsunami had wreaked “significant damage”.

No deaths have been reported so far.

However, New Zealand and Australia are sending surveillance flights to assess the extent of the damage.