A teenager has died after remaining in a coma for over a week after suffering a violent attack in the Nuku'alofa Central Business District on the night of July 9. Ten male accused, some of them teenagers, were arrested over the weekend and charged with manslaughter in the death of ‘Alani Fuapau (19) whom they allegedly beat and stomped on in Taufa'ahau Road.

The arrests started on Friday and Saturday with the last made yesterday Sunday, 24 July. The ten accused remain in custody to appear at the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa today.

Group attack

The incident is alleged to have occurred at around 11:00pm on Taufa’ahau Road.

He said the victim was at the Tali’eva Bar. When he came out there were exchanges between him and the group of the accused who were reported to have been sitting at the Digicel Square. The accused are alleged to have punched the victim and when he fell to the ground they continued to beat and kick him resulting in very serious head injuries, said Fifita.

The victim was in coma for eight days at Vaiola Hospital before passing away on Sunday 17 July.

Chief Superintendent Fifita said the hospital had notified police only on 12 July about this case although the incident had occurred on 9 July.

The victim’s funeral was reported to have been held today, Monday, 25 July at Sopu.