Toll rises to 93 in Tonga ferry tragedy

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-09 11:11

WELLINGTON: The number of people missing in Tonga's ferry tragedy rose to 93, Radio New Zealand reported on Sunday.

Tonga's police commander Chris Kelley told a media conference the list of those on board the Princess Ashika had grown from 141 to 149 in the past 24 hours, following statements taken from survivors.

A life raft from Princess Ashika, the ferry that sank 86 km (53.4 miles) northeast of the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa, is seen from a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3-K Orion plane August 6, 2009. [Agencies]

The number of survivors stays the same at 54, and only two bodies have been found so far.

The Princess Ashika was traveling from Tongan capital Nuku' alofa to Ha'afeva, in the Nomuka Islands group, when it sank at about 11:00 pm on Wednesday. It is thought to be in about 36 meters of water, about 86 km northeast of Nuku'alofa, and the debris is spread over a vast area.

Kelly said the cause of the sinking was still unknown and warned the ferry might never be found.

Divers from the Royal New Zealand and Australian Navies arrived on Saturday to try to locate the wreck. However, they were unable to reach the sea bed on their first dive.

A RNZAF Orion resumed searching for any survivors or bodies on Saturday, extending the area being covered to take drift and tide into account.

A church service for national prayers is scheduled for Sunday night in Nuku'alofa, Radio New Zealand reported.

Dozens of relatives of the missing are camping outside the shipping company's headquarters waiting for information.

Tonga's transport ministry is preparing the terms of reference for an inquiry.

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