One of the survivors of the volcanic tsunami that happened in Tonga has narrated how he swam for 28hr to stay alive.

A social media post described the 57-year-old as a “real-life Aquaman”.

The island nation was hit by a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami on Saturday. Three people have since been confirmed dead. The Tongan man who swam for 28 hours after getting swept out to sea during Saturday’s devastating tsunami has spoken about his epic swim.

In an interview with, and translated by, Tongan radio station Broadcom, Lisala Folau recounted the ordeal which left him lucky to be alive.

Mr. Folau was alerted to the tsunami by his brother and hid up a tree. However, once he got down after the first wave, a bigger wave arrived and swept him and his family out to sea. He has four children.

He thinks the wave was bigger than 6m.

“It was dark and we could not see each other. Very soon I could not hear my niece calling anymore, but I could hear my son calling,” he said.

Mr. Folau didn’t respond as he didn’t want anyone to risk their safety trying to save him.
Extraordinarily, he has mobility issues.

“I left everything and try to escape, but bear in mind that I am disabled. I can’t walk properly, both my legs are not working properly – and when I can, I believe a baby can walk faster than I,” he said.

“So I just floated, bashed around by the big waves that kept coming. It stayed with my mind if I can cling to a tree or anything and if anything happens and I lose my life, searchers may find me and my family can view my dead body.”

A police boat sped past as Mr. Folau waved a rag, but it missed him. Mr. Folau said thinking about his family kept him swimming.

Eventually, he reached Tongatapu sometime after 9 pm on Sunday, where he found a man who was able to get in contact with his family.

“So unexpected that I survived after being washed away, floating and surviving the dangers I just faced,” he said.

Mr. Folau thanked God, his family, and his church for giving him the strength to survive.

Mr. Folau lives on the small, isolated island of Atata, which is about 8km northwest of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, or a 30-minute boat ride.

Only 61 people lived on the island paradise, which includes the Royal Sunset Island Resort.