The Tonga man says he survived swimming about 27 hours after tsunami

The explosion of the underwater volcano “Hunga Tonga-Hungga Ha'apai” on Saturday left at least three dead, causing high waves of the sea that reached the island, with the cerces damaged many buildings and communication network cut off in the country of about 105,000.

The man named Lisala Folau, who lived on the isolated island of Atata, with only about 60 residents, ended up at sea when the waves hit the island about 19 o'clock on Saturday, he said in a radio interview, Reuters writes.

Folaw said he was painting his house, when it was announced to the tsunami by his brother and soon the waves had reached his property. He said he got into a tree to save himself, but when he got off, another big wave took him with him. The 57-year-old man said he is a person with special needs and that he cannot walk properly.

Folo said that he continued on the water and slowly managed to swim some 5 miles [7.5 km] to the main island, Tongatapu, reaching the shore 27 hours later, about 22 Sunday.

The agency “Reuters” could not contact or verify this person's account. However, his confession became very popular in social networking.