Miracle survivor Lisala Folau was lost at sea for over 27 hours when he was swept out to sea by Tsunami waves generated by the powerful Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption on January 15th, 2022. Photo: RNZ
January 15th marks two years since the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano which devastated the kingdom of Tonga. The unprecedented eruption was the largest in over a century. Remarkably, only three people perished during the disaster.
In commemoration, RNZ Pacific heard from those who witnessed and survived the event, including Lisala Folau, who was lost at sea for more than 27 hours.
Tongan version
'I he 'aho 15 'o Sanuali 2022, ko e ta'u ia 'e ua hili 'a e Puna 'a e Mo'unga Afi Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai 'one uesia lahi ai 'a e Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga. Ko e Mo'unga Afi malohi taha eni kuo puna 'i mamani 'i he senituli koeni ne tau toki situ'a mei ai. Kae faka'ohovale foki ko e kakai pe 'e toko tolu ne si'i mole 'enau Mo'ui 'i he puna 'a e mo'unga afi. Ke fakamanatua 'a e me'a fakaofo na'e hoko na'e tatanaki ai 'e he Letio Nu'usila 'i he Pasifiki ha ngaahi fakamatala mei he kakai na'anau sio tonu pea mo hao mo'ui mei he fu'u me'a fakaofo na'e hoko, kau ai pea mo e tangata koeni ko Lisala Folau, na'e 'auhia 'I he vahanoa 'I ha lau houa, laka he houa 'e 27.
