A tsunami caused by Tonga volcanic eruption created a lot of havoc. However, a 57-year-old man is being called a real-life Aquaman after he swam for around 27 hours after getting swept out to sea due to the tsunami.? ??
This Tongan man named Lisala Folau lived on the small, isolated island of Atata which has a population of about 60 people. He was swept out to sea when the waves hit land at about 7 pm on Saturday. Folau said that he was painting his home when his brother alerted him about the tsunami.?
Soon, the waves had gone through his lounge. He climbed up a tree to escape but when he got down another big wave swept him away.
The 57-year-old said he is disabled and cannot walk properly."I just floated, bashed around by the big waves that kept coming," he told in an interview to Tongan media agency Broadcom Broadcasting.
The man said that he kept floating and managed to swim 7.5 kilometres to the main island of Tongatapu. He reached the shore 27 hours later at about 10 pm on Sunday.
The man got quite famous on social media after what he did. Many called it a miracle and many even called him Aquaman.?
According to news reports, scientists had observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early Friday. The eight-minute eruption was so violent it was heard as "loud thunder sounds" in Fiji, more than 800km (500 miles) away, according to officials in the capital Suva.? ?
Atata, which is about 8 km northwest of Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa, or a 30-minute boat ride, has been almost entirely destroyed in the tsunami that hit the islands on 18 January.?
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