The American embassy in Auckland, New Zealand has denied a report circulating on Youtube that the US army is sending 3000 troops to Tonga.
The report has been widely circulated on social media.
Leslie Núñez Goodman, Country Public Affairs Officer for the US Mission in New Zealand described the person who posted the Youtube as an “impersonator.”
“Unfortunately, it is not an actual U.S. Military account and the information on the video is not correct,” Goodman told Kaniva News.
The video claims the US is sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and five other ships.
According to a US Navy press release, the Abraham Lincoln left San Diego on the west coast of America on January 3.
The video also claimed the USAF sent reconnaissance flights to Tonga on Monday. There is no record of this happening.
The amateurishly edited eight minute video is padded out with military public relations video and images of what appears to be flood damage in the Caribbean and a refugee camp in Afghanistan.
The Royal New Zealand Navy has despatched HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa to Tonga.
The Aoteoroa is carrying 25,000 litres of water.
The HMNZS Canterbury was due to leave Auckland for Tonga today with more supplies.
The HMAS Adelaide left Australia with aid and supplies today and is expected to reach Tonga in about five days.
Meanwhile the UK has despatched the HMS Spey, which is expected to sail from Tahiti today.
UK-funded supplies are also being carried on the Adelaide. Supplies requested by the Tongan government include 90 family tents, eight community tents and six wheel barrows.
An RNZAF Hercules and an RAAF C-17 have delivered water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment.
