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Sixty lost in Tonga ferry sinking Search halted for Tonga survivors
(about 5 hours later)
More than 60 people, mainly women and children, are now feared to have drowned after a ferry capsized near the Pacific Island state of Tonga. Authorities in Tonga have suspended overnight the search for any survivors of a ferry sinking in which at least 64 people are feared to have drowned.
The vessel went down about 90km (55 miles) from the capital, Nuku'alofa, late on Wednesday, officials said.The vessel went down about 90km (55 miles) from the capital, Nuku'alofa, late on Wednesday, officials said.
Some 50 male passengers, travelling on deck, were rescued but the passengers who were sleeping in cabins below deck, are feared lost with the ship. Fifty-three male passengers, travelling on deck, were rescued but other passengers in cabins below decks, mainly women and children, are missing.
Tongan officials say 117 people were on board the Princess Ashika when it sank. Tongan officials say 119 people were on board the Princess Ashika when it sank.
On Friday, Tonga's Prime Minister, Feleti Sevele, said there was little hope of finding more survivors from the overnight ferry sailing.On Friday, Tonga's Prime Minister, Feleti Sevele, said there was little hope of finding more survivors from the overnight ferry sailing.
'We live in hope'
At dusk, authorities suspended the search for the night, and were not certain if it would be resumed at dawn.
New Zealand has been helping with the search effort and together with Australia has sent divers to help recover the bodies of victims.
This is a huge disaster, a huge loss, we'll try and cope with it as best we can Feleti SeveleTongan Prime MinisterThis is a huge disaster, a huge loss, we'll try and cope with it as best we can Feleti SeveleTongan Prime Minister
He has asked New Zealand and Australia to send navy divers to help recover bodies. "We live in hope, and we will be making a decision overnight as to whether the search continues," New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre director John Dickson told New Zealand's National Radio.
Two bodies have so far been recovered, including a British man identified as Dan MacMillan, 48, who had been living in New Zealand.Two bodies have so far been recovered, including a British man identified as Dan MacMillan, 48, who had been living in New Zealand.
German, French and Japanese nationals were reportedly among several other foreign nationals on board.German, French and Japanese nationals were reportedly among several other foreign nationals on board.
New Zealand sent a military plane to join the search for survivors among the floating debris. There is uncertainty about the exact number of people on board the Princess Ashika, with 15 survivors not on the passenger list, Tongan police commander Chris Kelley said.
"This is a huge disaster, a huge loss, we'll try and cope with it as best we can," Mr Sevele told reporters in Cairns, Australia, where he was attending the Pacific Islands Forum. The Princess Ashika reportedly passed recent safety inspections
"We believe a more accurate manifest was on board and was lost so there could have been more persons on board who have not been identified," he said.
"This is a huge disaster, a huge loss, we'll try and cope with it as best we can," Prime Minister Sevele told reporters in Cairns, Australia, where he was attending the Pacific Islands Forum.
The Tongan leader said the cause of the sinking was unknown, and although questions have been raised about the vessel's seaworthiness he said it had passed safety inspections.The Tongan leader said the cause of the sinking was unknown, and although questions have been raised about the vessel's seaworthiness he said it had passed safety inspections.
The ferry had been travelling from Nuku'alofa to outlying northern islands of Tonga when it sent a mayday call at about 2300 local time on Wednesday (1100 GMT). The ferry had been travelling from Nuku'alofa to outlying northern islands of Tonga when it sent a mayday call at about 2300 on Wednesday (1100 GMT).
Those who managed to make it to lifeboats say the ferry rolled in heavy seas and sank within minutes.Those who managed to make it to lifeboats say the ferry rolled in heavy seas and sank within minutes.
New Zealand rescue centre spokesman Ross Henderson said the weather conditions provided good visibility for searching. "All the stuff, containers everything, was moved to one side and the ship starts to turn upside down," said survivor Pau Tupou.
The water remained about 25C with a light swell, but "if people are in the water they are quite difficult to see even with the conditions as good as they are." "It is only one minute and the ship was gone down."
"We'll just continue to search as best as we can," Mr Henderson said.
Media reports in New Zealand suggest the missing include 23 men, 21 women, and seven children, with more passengers yet to be identified.Media reports in New Zealand suggest the missing include 23 men, 21 women, and seven children, with more passengers yet to be identified.
The tragedy has rocked the tiny nation of 120,000, which consists of 170 islands dotted over an area of 748 sq km (289 sq miles) and is heavily reliant on ferries. The tragedy has rocked the tiny nation of 120,000, which consists of 170 islands dotted over 748 sq km (289 sq miles) of the South Pacific Ocean and is heavily reliant on ferries.
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