Chinese man in Tonga found safe from tsunami

A man from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, who works in Tonga, was safe after a volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific island, according to sources with the Center for Consular Assistance and Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to a Weibo message posted by the center on Monday night, the Chinese embassy in Tonga contacted Zhu Jianxiong, whose wife in Guangzhou had not been able to reach him after the eruption.

The Chinese embassy confirmed in the message that "he is safe at present".

Zhu had been out of contact since Saturday, when he sent his wife messages and transferred a sum of money via WeChat. His last message to her said that "the volcano erupted and the tsunami is coming. I'm going to the airport now."

"I have failed to reach him since then. He has not been home for more than two years," said his wife, surnamed Li.

Zhu works in electronic device maintenance in Tonga, Li said.

Li received a satellite phone call from staff members at the Chinese embassy in Tonga on Monday afternoon.

"They told me that my husband is safe now," she said.