40 missing as Tongan ferry capsizes

[Lysfoss]

One British man has been killed and 40 people are feared missing after a ferry capsized in open waters near Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa.

The Pacific Ashika, en route from Nuku'alofa to Ha'afeva island, rolled and sank just before midnight last night local time.

The company operating the vessel said there were an estimated 96 people on board. Tongan police said 55 passengers and crew had been rescued.

The only body recovered so far is that of a British man carrying a New Zealand driver's licence.

Although the official manifest showed 79 passengers and crew, police said the exact number of people on board was still unknown.

'Realistically we believe there were more passengers on board but we could not confirm at this stage how many they are,' Chief Inspector Sokopeti To'ia said.

One survivor said most of the missing were women and children who were asleep below decks when the vessel overturned.

Siaosi Lavaka said that he only saw men reach the lifeboats when the ferry capsized.

'No women or children made it,' he said.

[Fotojoe]

It was reported today that the ferry was hit by a huge wave and capsized after the unlashed cargo of vehicles etc had shifted.

[Lysfoss]

And probably overloaded with passengers as usual! i heard that the passenger
list has not "been found". Sad news! They have the worst safetey record both on air and sea transport in the world!!