93 missing, Ashika toll rising [1]
Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 17:00. Updated on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 09:27.
The number of missing from the MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking continues to grow, with 93 persons unaccounted for today, and only two bodies recovered. ANZ navy divers returned to the location today in a continuing search for the sunken vessel on a hilly seabed at depths of up to 100 meters in Ha'apai waters.
On Day 4 of Operation Ashika, 82 hours after the MV Princess Ashika sank around midnight on Wednesday, the police have confirmed the names of 149 persons on board.
"It is quite possible it will be more," said Tonga Police Commander Chris Kelley this morning. "The figures are changing by the hour."
There are 54 known survivors, and two dead. (The names of the survivors are listed at the end of this article).
Today, 93 persons remain unaccounted for, and these include 37 males, 33 females, 10 children, and 13 of unknown gender.
Commander Kelley said the process of reconciling the passenger figures was a difficult one because of the need for information from family, relatives and friends of persons on board the sunken vessel.
"It is important to ensure only accurate identity information is realeased," he stressed.
Police and government support teams are continuing their visits to families throughout Tonga "to try and confirm the exact number and identity of people on board."
Foreign Nationals
The commander said that inquiries were also underway in an effort to identify foreign nationals on board.
"We know that there was one Japanese crew member, with two French and two German passengers missing - four people who were working in Tonga, and there may be more."
There are also two police officers missing: a Tongan police officer who was returning to Vava'u after attending a court case in Tongatapu, and a Niuean Police officer, a woman, who was on holiday in Tonga.
The body of one British national has been recovered.
The body of an unidentified Tongan woman aged about 25-35 has also been recovered, and police are trying to match her to descriptions given by relatives.
"We thought we had found relatives to view the body but they have confirmed that it is not their relative," said the Commander. "We will release a detailed description tomorrow."
"We have recovered only two bodies which is unusual in the circumstances," he said.
"As time goes on the chances of finding more survivors is less, but it doesn't mean we will give up."
The RNZAF Orion has completed its aerial search, he said but other searches are continuing.
Survivor list
The known survivors are 54 males, aged between 16 and 70 years old. Their names released by Chief Inspector of Police Sokopeti K. To'ia, of Operation Ashika this afternoon are:
S/No, Name, Sex, Age, Address
Crew
1 Sitiveni A. 'Ali, m, 26, Ma'ufanga
2 Filipe Tau'ataina, m, 25, Ha'ateiho
3 Fisi'inaua Vea, m, 20, Hihifo, Ha'apai
4 Halatoa Maamaloa, m, 35, Longolongo
5 Kalipeno Lolohea, m, 19, Fasi
6 Kainga Ta'ufo'ou, m, 20, Kotu/Fo'ui
7 Lino Sakalia, m, 37, Ma'ufanga
8 Lotu Kalu, m, 21, Popua/Niuafo'ou
9 Alifeleti Malu Mafi, m, 18, Tofoa/Hala'ovave
10 Manu 'Utumoengalu, m, 19, Popua
11 Metui Satini, m, 20, Fangaloto
12 Penisimani Losaki, m, 22, Tofoa
13 Penisimani Tupou, m, 22, Ngele'ia
14 Po'oi Lolohea, m, 24, Lapaha/Nukuhetulu
15 Samisoni Palu, m, 25, Fangaloto/Hala'ovave
16 Semisi Ve'etutu Pomale, m, 25, Houmakelikao
17 Siale Kapeli, m, 19, Ma'ufanga/Lapaha
18 Sili Kalu, m, 34, Longolongo/Popua
19 Simote Mapu Taufu'i, m, 18, Tofoa
20 Siosiua Mahina, m, 18, Fasi/Tefisi Vv
21 Solomone Havili, m, 27, Fasi
22 Uasike Tupou, m, 34, Tofoa
23 Unaloto Finau, m, 31, Anana
24 Unaloto K. O. Uata, m, 26, Fangaloto
25 Vilai Haukinima, m, 21, Ha'afeva/Havelu
26 Viliami Tu'akoi, m, 28, Popua
27 Viliami Makahokovalu Tuputupu, m, 42 Niutoua/Tu'atakilangi
28 Siaosi Lavaka, m.
Passengers
1 Eti Fetuani, m, 27, Tu'anekivale
2 Fatui Manu, m, 32, Ha'afeva
3 Halaliku 'Epenisa, m, 26, Ta'anea Vv
4 Halatoa Puafisi, m, 70, Nukuleka Tt
5 Hiva Taukei'aho, m, 19, Ha'afeva
6 Kelepi Tau, m, 25, Kameli Vv
7 Lea'asi 'Otuafi, m, 29, Ma'ufanga
8 Mafi Moala Taufa, m, 25, Matuku
9 Manoa Tu'ivailala, m, 31, Feletoa
10 Mesui Lemoto, m, 22, Ha'ateiho
11 Pau Tupou
12 Pelenato Pome'e
13 Sosaia Tone, m, 31, Ha'afeva
14 Sekona Fatafehi, m, 16, Kotu
15 Sifa Kafa, m, 53, Talafo'ou
16 Sione He'ehau, m, 21, Ha'afeva
17 Sione Ngalu, m, 29, Ha'ateiho
18 Sione Uasi, m, 26, Pangai Hp
19 Viliami Tatofi He'ehau, m, 33, Ha'afeva
20 Tevita Lotaki Kanongata'a, m, 70, Fotuha'a
21 Tongia Lemoto, m, 26, Ha'ateiho
22 Tu'imeli Luani, m, 25, Puke
23 Sekonaia Tuituiohu Pekipaki, m, 30, Uiha Hp
24 Vili Tulikihakau, m, 21, Koloa Vv
25 Viliami Mohenoa, m, 21, Ngele'ia
26 Kailata Fotu, m, 22, Ha'atou Hp