United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Search continues for missing passengers on Tonga ferry
TONGA – Rescue services were searching today for 26 people still unaccounted for after a ferry carrying 79 people sank off the coast of Tonga.
New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre launched a major search operation after the ferry sank 86km northeast of Nuku’alofa late last night.
NZPA reported that the ferry Princess Ashika was heading from Nuku’alofa to Ha’afeva, in the Nomuka Islands group, when it issued a mayday call just before 11pm.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion arrived at first light to begin a search for missing passengers.
The first boats to reach the scene pulled 42 people from liferafts – 17 passengers and 25 crew, including the captain.
Another 11 were subsequently found safe and well.
A balmy water temperature of 25degC would aid the survival chances of those still in the water, said a Maritime New Zealand spokesman.
Ian Jarrett
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel