Tonga eruption and tsunami: Olympics flagbearer Pita Taufatofua loses contact with family after catastrophe

Tongan Olympic flagbearer Pita Taufatofua still hasn't heard from his family, after his nation's devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.

The underwater volcano off Tonga erupted on Saturday, causing a 1.2 metre tsunami wave that crashed into coastal homes.

Taufatofua, who rose to fame for his shirtless and oiled-up appearance carrying the Tongan flag at the Rio de Janeiro Games, painted a bleak picture of the damage on social media.

Taufatofua says his father - the governor of Haapai - was returning home from the opening of parliament, when his flight was cancelled due to the volcanic eruption.

"Last we heard, he was securing our home in Veitongo right on the water's edge," he wrote on Instagram on Saturday. "Our family in Haapai has had all communication cut off. 

"The information I've been sent shows the tsunami going over both Popua and the main town in Tongatapu, Nuku'alofa. No word yet from Haapai."

On Sunday, he followed this up with another post, saying there was "still no word from my father or family".

"All communications from Tonga are still down after yesterday's volcanic eruption and tsunami," he wrote.

"I have just set up a fundraiser, as in the coming days and weeks will inevitably need all the assistance we can.

"Once communication is back up and we can see the needs, the funds will be mobilised, starting with disaster infrastructure, hospitals and schools. This is an ongoing process.

"Ofa atu Tonga."

The Tonga tsunami relief fundraiser aims to raise $1 million and can be found here.