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'Died doing what you loved': Tributes for woman killed in tsunami

Tributes have rolled in for British woman Angela Glover who was killed by the tsunami in Tonga after a large volcanic eruption on Saturday.

Her body was found by her husband James Glover who organised a search effort after she was washed away trying to save dogs, Angela's brother Nick Eleini told Sky News on Tuesday.

Angela had moved from London to Tonga in 2016 and was on a mission to help Tonga's population of homeless dogs by starting the Tonga Animal Welfare Society, while James opened a tattoo parlour.

Angela Glover, a British woman who moved to Tonga to save dogs, has been confirmed dead following the tsunami in Tonga. Source: Facebook
Angela Glover, a British woman who moved to Tonga to save dogs, has been confirmed dead following the tsunami in Tonga. Source: Facebook

Angela went missing after the tsunami hit. She was trying to rescue her dogs and was swept away, while James managed to cling on to a tree.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Sydney, Angela's brother Nick described her as "beautiful".

"She was absolutely a ray of sunshine that would walk into a room and just lighten the room up," he said.

"She loved animals and dogs particularly, and the uglier the dog the more she loved it."

In January 2021, Angela spoke to Yahoo News Australia about the dogs in Tonga and said she had a desire to rescue animals from an early age.

“I am a huge animal lover and always wanted to rescue animals from an early age,” she said.

Angela Glover formed the Tongan Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) to help stray dogs. Source: Supplied/Angela Glover
Angela Glover formed the Tongan Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) to help stray dogs. Source: Supplied/Angela Glover

Angela Glover's work in Tonga touched many

A friend of Angela's said on Facebook they were still trying to accept what had happened.

"You died doing what you loved, RESCUING YOUR DOGS!" they wrote.

"If there is a soul that is most fitting to be an angel, it would be you my friend. Your smile and happy positive vibes can bring sunshine to any place you go, and anyone you meet."

South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) said Angela had touched so many lives, both animal and human, through her work.

"Together, she and James spent much of their own time and resources caring for homeless and sick animals," Karen Schade, founder of SPAW wrote on the organisation's Facebook page.

"Angela was one of a kind. She loved animals, especially dogs, more than most people are capable of. She and James are part of our SPAW whanau (family), and our deepest condolences go out to James, their whanau and friends."

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), shows an undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
The underwater volcano in the Pacific erupted on Saturday, causing a devastating tsunami. Source: NICT via AP

Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofua paid tribute to Angela on Facebook and thanked her for her service to Tonga.

"Both James and Angela loved the Tongan people and were setting up a life there," he wrote on Facebook.

"Thank you Angela for all the love you gave to both the people and pups of Tonga. Your last act was one of service and selflessness."

Pita is currently raising money to provide relief for Tonga through GoFundMe.

At least three deaths in Tonga, authorities expect

Following the underwater volcano eruption and tsunami, the extent of the damage is unknown, however New Zealand officials has said they believe there have been three casualties.

On Tuesday, New Zealand's acting High Commissioner Peter Lund said a state of emergency had been declared in Tonga, and a massive clean-up operation was underway on the main island of Tongatapu and the capital Nuku'alofa, blanketed in ash from the blast.

New Zealand authorities believe there may be three casualties as a result of the tsunami. Source: GoFundMe
New Zealand authorities believe there may be three casualties as a result of the tsunami. Source: GoFundMe

Mr Lund confirmed reports the body of Angela had been found, and the likelihood of two other deaths.

"I understand in talking to our police advisor this morning, unconfirmed reports of up to three fatalities," he told NZ television station Tagata Pasifika.

"Here on Tongatapu it is very sad some fatalities have been reported.

"We were spared great loss of life. Most people are safe and now having to face a big clean-up and taking things day by day."

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