Cyclone Gita smashes Tonga, heads towards Fiji

Several people have been seriously injured after a powerful storm lashed the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

Several people have been seriously injured after a powerful storm lashed the South Pacific island nation of Tonga.

The government has declared a state of emergency.

The cyclone is now moving towards an area south of Fiji.

It is expected to weaken and bring rain and winds to New Zealand by the weekend.

Al Jazeera’s Paul Chaderjian reports.