Tongatapu

The toddler was a passenger in the vehicle which crashed into a tree at Navutoka on Saturday evening.

According to Police, the 66-year-old driver was allegedly intoxicated while driving a vehicle that had three other passengers including the toddler.

Police said the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and it went onto the opposite side of the road and hit a tree.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital and at around 10 pm, Vaiola Hospital confirmed the passing of the 2-year-old girl,” Police said.

The Police arrested the 29-year-old woman, her 43-year-old husband and another 24-year-old man from Ha’akame for possession and supplying of illicit drugs.

The Police arrested the couple after they intercepted their vehicle at a residence at ‘Anana Kaniva News reports.

“A further search was carried out at their Veitongo residence where the third accused was apprehended along with a pack of cannabis found in the room he occupies”, a Police statement said.

“Also included in the items seized were one scale, empty packs, and TOP$240 cash.

The house was fully alight by the time firefighters arrived.

In livestreamed videos shared to Facebook onlookers could be heard saying that no one was injured reports Kaniva News.

Some said they were waiting for the emergency services while the house could be seen in the videos being completely engulfed by the blaze.

The sound of glass breaking and explosions inside the house were loud enough to be heard over the videos.  

People were seen pushing a parked bus away from the fire.

Kaumavae Fakaanga, 35, pleaded not guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm but later changed his plea to guilty.

Kaniva News reports Fakaanga’s charge stemmed from an incident in which Fakaanga attacked Sosefo Tu’akoi, 44, with a machete.

Tu’akoi’s left hand was injured during the attack and was later amputated.

Tonga Met Services said there was no tsunami threat to affect Tonga.

A repatriate at the Tanoa Hotel quarantine facility told Kaniva News it took about a minute before it stopped.

There were reports of the quake on social media by the Ha’apai residents.

Some people on Facebook described it as accelerating and shocking, while others described it as a long shake.

The tremor came a week after a 5.5 earthquake was felt in Nuku’alofa on Sunday, 29 May.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said the lockdown will be effective until 2 April, 2022 and remain in the Red colour status.

The current spike in positive cases in the last four days, averaging around 300 cases daily, and the pressure that has on the Ministry of Health services, are key factors in Cabinet’s decision to continue with the lockdown.

The Ministry of Fisheries said these areas were affected by the ashfall after the volcano eruption on January 15.

It said it received reports of people getting sick after consuming shellfish from these areas. Fish in these coastal areas could also be at risk, it said.

Kaniva News reports victims included people who suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting, and having pain in various parts of the body at the same time.

The Ministry said fish from deep sea fishing could be safe for consumption.  

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku confirmed the lockdown will run until 5am on Saturday, March 26, with daily curfew hours from 8pm to 8am.

Hu’akavameiliku said all retail and wholesale business, banks, gas stations, bread shops and schools will be closed for the duration of the one-week lockdown.

The only exceptions will be made for members of the public in the two islands needing to go to the pharmacies, farms and fishing for families needing urgent supplies. People will only be allowed to move for these needs from 8am to 8pm during the new lockdown period.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku stressed government’s policy that only fully vaccinated teachers will be allowed to teach in schools.

The Prime Minister, who is also Minister for Education and Training, made the statement at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference room on Friday.

He said school management will need to ensure that all health protocols are followed strictly for the safety of teachers and students.

Four Prison Officers at Huatolitoli Prison are amongst the new cases announced today.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku told a press conference that a total of 138 cases are now being quarantined in facilities in Tongatapu and Vava’u.

He said, “The Ministry of Health team have carried out tests on all prison officers, families and prisoners and the isolation of prison officers is being implemented.”  

There were 139 new cases on the weekend but one person reported in the first two cases from 1 February was released from quarantine to go home on Friday.