麻豆约拍

Emergency supplies are being distributed in Tonga after the arrival of the first two ships sent to help by the Royal New Zealand Navy. But it will take some time to get help to all the many inhabited islands hit by high waves following the underwater volcanic eruption.

The island of Atata is one of the smallest in the Pacific archipelago - only about 60 people live on it, and one of its residents has told Newsday about his extraordinary story of survival.

Lisala Folau was on Atata when he was swept out to sea by the tsunami that followed the massive undersea volcanic eruption. He was painting his house when the waves came but managed to survive in the water for 27 hours.

Even more amazing, Lisala is partially disabled in his legs, and so could only swim with his arms, but eventually made it to main island of Tongatapu which is about 8 km away.

(Pic: Lisala Folau; Credit: Reuters)