Pacific volcano: Daughter's fears after Tonga tsunami

A woman unable to contact her parents after a volcano erupted near Tonga has called it "one of the toughest moments" of her life.

Siniva Filise, 42, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, has been struggling to call parents Fakahau and Lioneti Valu.

An undersea volcano erupted on Saturday, sending tsunami waves crashing across Tonga's shores.

Former Tongan rugby international Maama Molitika said he is also trying to get in touch with family in his homeland.

Ms Filise has since received word her parents are "safe and well" from a former colleague in the country.

The eruption has prevented international communications to the islands, leaving friends and family members around the world anxiously trying to get in touch with loved ones.

Ms Filise told the PA news agency: "I woke up on Saturday morning and saw what was happening in Tonga on social media. I tried to call my mum but I couldn't get through.

"It would have been the middle of the night [in Tonga] and I was just thinking about my parents in the dark, just the two of them… It was the worst feeling ever."

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After failing to contact them, Ms Filise decided to "chance it" and messaged a former colleague on Facebook who is a member of the armed forces in Tonga assisting on the emergency response.

"International calls still can't get through but the Armed Forces have satellite connectivity," she said.

"I begged her to try and give them a call and I cried last night when she messaged me and said she had managed to speak to them and they were both fine.

Siniva Filise has yet to make contact with her parents, Fakahau Valu and Lioneti Valu

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"That's the only the message I've had but it gives me a glimmer of hope, even though I haven't been able to speak to them directly."

Ms Filise grew up on the mainland of Tonga with her five siblings and has remained close with her family despite moving to the UK 16 years ago.

"The Tonga people are very family orientated people and even though me and my siblings are overseas, my mum will call us every morning before we go to work," she said.

"We are so close and we're so used to having my mum call us that when something like [the volcanic eruption] happens… I just feel helpless."

Former Tongan rugby international Maama Molitika has been unable to get in touch with family since the tsunami

Mr Molitika, who played for Cardiff Blues, Bridgend and the Celtic Warriors, said what was happening in Tonga was "heartbreaking" and like something from a disaster movie.

"When it happens in real life it's devastating to see," he said.

"I've got my two sisters and my brother who still live there.

"Also I've got a lot of cousins and aunties that live on Tonga, the main island."

Tonga is an archipelago with 36 inhabited islands.

Mr Molitika is trying to reach his sisters Mafivea (left) and Hu'uvai, and brother Tupou

"Obviously I've tried to get hold of them by telephone and internet, by Facebook Messenger, I haven't heard anything back from them.

"Also I've tried to contact my sisters and my brother - still nothing back.

"It's worrying and devastating not to hear anything back from them, at the same time I'm praying that they're OK and safe."