Crews from various emergency response agencies in Tongatapu conducted a live emergency response for a simulated aircraft incident over Nuku'alofa's waterfront, this morning.

The emergency scenario was named "Operation Tofua'a: Tofua'a Airways Excercise".

The first aid responders were practising their response for a search and rescue operation on board the MV 'Otuanga'ofa, meanwhile, Tonga Police Search & Rescue boats, and Tonga Navy's VOEA Ngahau Siliva patrol boat were involved in the exercise over a wide area off the northern shores of the capital.

Tonga Police Chief Superintendent ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau led the two-hour emergency drill, that ran from 10:00am until after 12:00pm.

"With this scenario, participants were able to identify challenges early, find solutions, and strengthen coordinated response efforts to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, everyone knows what to do and how to protect the lives of people in our community," Tonga Police stated.

This was the first emergency drill at sea to be carried out in Tonga.

Participants included representatives from Tonga Police, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services (TFES), His Majesties Armed Forces (HMAF), Tonga Airports Limited, Civil Aviation Tonga, Ministry of Health, Tonga Red Cross Society, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), Fishing Association, and Ports Authority Tonga.

The last emergency excercise was held in 2022, at Fua'amotu International Airport.