Fuel shortage

Radio Tonga reports petrol and diesel are the two most important products for the people of Ha’apai especially for transportation inland and the outer islands.

The island reportedly ran out petrol last week and then diesel on Monday.

The Ministry of Fisheries has confirmed the vessels weren’t able to reach the island to deliver the much-needed petrol and diesel because of bad weather,

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A pipeline that supplies fuel to the airport was closed over the weekend after a leak was discovered on Thursday. It has caused dozens of flights in and out of the city to be delayed or cancelled.

Up to 80,000 litres of jet fuel - or about two tanker loads - spilled from the pipeline at Ruakaka, about 130km north of Auckland.

It was damaged by a digger operating on a farm.

Auckland Airport said 28 flights have been cancelled today, up from 14 yesterday.

The local Manager of Pacific Energy has told Matangi Tonga the tanker is currently in Nuku'alofa and would be in Neiafu today.