Imagine stepping outside to a sky raining volcanic rocks like hail 🌋—that’s the reality for Chinese residents in Tonga following the recent eruption. Zhao Yongming, an employee at China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in Nuku’alofa, gave NewspaperAmigo.com a chilling firsthand account of the chaos.
\"The ground shook violently, and ash covered everything like a thick blanket,\" Zhao said. \"Rocks crashed around us like something out of a disaster movie. We sheltered indoors, but the noise was deafening.\"
The eruption, which triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, has left Tonga’s capital in temporary isolation. Zhao described residents banding together to clear debris and share supplies, highlighting a community’s resilience amid crisis. Chinese nationals in the region are coordinating with local authorities and international relief teams to ensure safety.
While internet connectivity remains patchy, Zhao’s story offers a rare glimpse into life on the ground. \"Nature’s power is humbling,\" he added, \"but so is human kindness.\"
