'Inoke Mapaleve Mo'unga (32) drowned at Laulea Beach, Fatumu, Tongatapu, after he was swept away by strong currents on Saturday, 21 November.

Tonga Police today confirmed that the victim, originally from Kolonga living in Kolofo’ou, was on a picnic with his wife.

He went out swimming, while there was a strong current, resulting in his disappearance at around 4:00pm. His body was found some three-hours later, near to where he was swimming.

The victim was confirmed dead upon arrival at Vaiola Hospital, police confirmed.

Unsettled weather with strong gusty winds were experienced on Tongatapu, over the weekend. A strong wind warning for land areas of Tongatapu and three other islands was issued by Tonga's Weather Forecasting Centre at Fua'amotu on Friday evening, 20 November.