A Tongan family residing at Tuatua, Labasa, remain strong in their prayers for their families back in Tonga.

This was due to the large eruption of the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on Saturday, January 15, causing a tsunami and clouds of ash.

Falefehi Tuitavake Petueli, who has been living in Fiji for 53 years after getting married to a Rotuman-Fijian, said her last conversion with her family in Nuku’alofa, Tonga was last week Friday.

Ms Petueli, 78, contacted her niece in Tonga on the same afternoon and was informed that the situation was normal.

“I am very disturbed with the events that unfolded after I saw the videos and pictures on social media and news on the volcano eruption,” she said.

“If we in Fiji could hear the loud sonic booms, imagine the level of devastation my families and Tongans went through during the volcanic eruption,” she said.

Hope

Ms Petueli said they hoped to get assurance on the safety and wellbeing of her sister’s and younger brother’s family, who were residing near the shoreline in the capital.

The emotional Ms Petueli has been praying with her family in Fiji and seeking God’s intervention for help.

She said she was relieved when she witnessed an interview of the Princess of the Kingdom of Tonga from a Pacific Broadcasting channel in Brisbane, Australia.

The mother-of-three children said it would be the first time that she will not be able to convey her birthday wishes to her brother, turning 76 today.

“OFA ATU– (Love to all) to my beloved family members and the people of Tonga as they are always remembered in our prayers and conversations,” she added.

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