Townsville family hear Tongan volcano erupting during video call

Luluwai Wallace Hunter will never forget the “thundering noise” of the volcanic eruption that cut short a video call with family in Tonga.

The Townsville woman was speaking with loved ones on Saturday when she heard rumblings of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupting in the background.

“We were happy talking and then we heard it, that thundering noise,” Ms Wallace Hunter said.

“All we could hear was a loud, loud noise like a bomb dropping somewhere close to them.”

Ms Wallace Hunter said little black stones that were hitting her family’s roof sounded like hail during the call.

“Then next minute, it was just bang and they were gone.

“Now I don’t know what’s going on. Where are they? Are they alright? Has something happened to them?”

Ms Wallace Hunter is in touch with New Zealand journalist Barbara Dreaver, who is using a satellite phone to keep Tongan families in Australia updated with developments.

Tuesday’s update included reports of three deaths on Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, and details of a clean-up effort in the capital Nuku’alofa.

Family home in tsunami’s path

But there is still no news on Ms Wallace Hunter’s family.

“My aunty’s house is just on the shoreline, so her house is the first one the waves would come to,” she said.

“My mind is just back home, and we pray for a miracle.

“I keep ringing their phones and messaging them on Facebook. All I want to hear is good news, that everyone has survived,” she said.

Prayers from Townsville to Tonga

Ms Wallace Hunter is part of not-for-profit group One One Hakautpu that provides goods and services from Australia to Tongan families in need.

“I just ask my Townsville people to keep Tonga in their prayers every day,” she said.

“I know for sure in Tonga there is only a small hospital, but some of [my family] have asthma, so they will be affected [by the ash].

“Australia knows what the best thing is to do when the disaster comes.

“I’m overwhelmed that a little nation, all over the world they want to help.”

Gallery: Flavor Flav and other celebs who’ve had near death experiences (StarsInsider)