"'Tonga Muscle Man' Taupatofoa: 'Lost Contact with Family... Need Help'"

Underwater Volcano Eruption in Tonga, South Pacific... Major Damage Caused by Tsunami

At the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held last year, 'Tonga Muscleman' Pita Taufatofua (Taekwondo) entered as the flag bearer. This was his third time appearing as Tonga's flag bearer, following the Rio Olympics and Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Amid the worst tsunami caused by an underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga in the South Pacific, Pita Taufatofua (38), who drew attention by entering the Olympic opening ceremony shirtless as Tonga's flag bearer, has appealed for help, saying he has lost contact with his family in his homeland.

Currently residing in Australia, Taufatofua posted on Instagram on the 16th, stating, "I have not yet been able to contact my father who is still in Vaitongo, and my family living in Ha'apai."

He added, "I will do what I can in my current situation. I will raise awareness about this and request aid," and said, "I will prioritize the people of Tonga who need help for recovery."

In another Instagram post, he said, "What I know is that my father, the governor of the Ha'apai Islands, went to the airport to return to Ha'apai from Tongatapu after the opening of the Tongan parliament, but the volcanic eruption caused flights to be canceled," and "The last news I heard was that my father was guarding his home on the coast of Vaitongo."

He continued, "According to the information I received, the tsunami covered both Popua and Nuku'alofa."

The previous day, an underwater volcano located 65 km north of Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, erupted, sending ejecta several kilometers into the sky. The scale of the eruption was so large that volcanic activity sounds were heard as far away as Alaska, USA, 10,000 km away.

According to AFP and other news agencies, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated at a press conference on the 16th (local time) that significant damage occurred in some areas of Nuku'alofa. According to reports, Tonga's internet and telephone lines were cut off from around 6:40 p.m. immediately after the volcanic eruption. Although power was restored in some areas afterward, the extent of damage outside Nuku'alofa remains unknown.

Taufatofua competed in three consecutive Olympics: as a taekwondo athlete in the Summer Olympics and as a cross-country skier in the Winter Olympics, participating in the 2016 Rio, 2018 Pyeongchang, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.