By Linny Folau

A grieving father, Rev. Sione Taufa (63), was thankful today after he was allowed to see his daughter Vaefetu'u Mahe (22), whose body was the second and last to be recovered after the tragic sinking of the MV Princess Ashika on August 5.

Sione of Kolofo'ou, an ordained minister serving with the Free Church of Tonga at Malapo, told Matangi Tonga this afternoon although he wass happy to have seen and kissed his daughter's body, he remains shattered because Vaefetu'u's husband Fetaulaki Mahe (23) and their three year old son Monti Mahe are still missing.

Accompanied by his eldest daughter, Tina Taufa, Sione said he has only one wish- that is the bodies of his son-in-law and grandson could be recovered so that the small family will be united and buried together at the Takaunove Cemetery at Fasi mo e Afi.

"Although this terrible sinking of the ferry is that of this world, I have accepted that this is God's will and I hope and pray that the two lone bodies of my son-in-law and grandson, who are somewhere under the deep ocean, are recovered, so I can see them for the last time, then I will be at peace," he quietly said.

Talihau, Vava'u

Sione said his daughter and her family were returning to their home at Talihau, Vava'u, after visiting Tongatapu for the Free Church of Tonga Annual Conference held in May earlier this year.

"They were scheduled to go after the conference but we had a family funeral, which delayed their trip until August 4. On this afternoon I accompanied them to Queen Salote Wharf because they decided to go on the Ashika ferry.

"When we were standing there I saw the ferry looked old and I asked my son-in-law whether it was alright for them to go on it and whether the sea was good for the journey, and he assured me not to worry, and we said our goodbyes.

"I didn't know this would be the last time I see them and if I had known that the ferry would sink I would never have allowed them to go," he said sadly.

Sione added that when they recovered Vaefetu'u's body, the day after the tragedy, they were one of the first six families lining at the morgue to identify her. "We were given a chest shot of her clothing and her body and I instantly knew it was her. I then gave the police her full description."

He said it was not until Monday this week that police confirmed her identity based on their statements. And today, he went to see her body for the first time.

Grief-stricken

"Her body was unmarked with injuries, although her skin had turned black. I stood there looking at her face before kissing her forehead and what a relief it was to be able to do that," he said.

Vaefetu'u's body is being kept at the morgue for the doctor's inquest. Until that is finished he is waiting for any news on the recovery operation for the missing bodies.

"I am a father and grandfather who has lost three members of my family in this terrible incident. I am grief-stricken and saddened by the whole ordeal but I know that it is God's will. And I just want to send out my sympathy and condolences to families who are similarly devastated with the loss of loved ones and I only pray that God gives them strength to get through it," said Sione