Bank vault found on reef [1]
Friday, October 16, 2009 - 15:08. Updated on Thursday, August 21, 2014 - 16:07.
A bank vault that was swept into the sea by the September 30 tsunami at Niuatoputapu has been recovered intact with cash, wet, but fully accounted for
The vault belonged to the Tonga Development Bank branch in Niuatoputapu whose little office was completely wrecked by the devastating tsunami that swept most of Hihifo township away.
Delighted, branch manager Mafi Lutui Hoa spoke to Matangi Tonga Online from Niuatoputapu this afternoon and confirmed that she found the vault in the ocean on October 1 with the island's cash holding of over $1,000 still intact.
Mafi said she was lucky to have spotted it at low tide and the vault was still locked although water was already inside.
"After recovering it in the ocean I got a fellow villager Mika Patolo to get it back to safety. I opened it with the key, which was in my purse when the tsunami struck, and although the notes were wet but we managed to dry it and they were all accounted for," said Paea. "I am very happy that we were able to recover our cash because that was all Niuatoputapu had and although it was wet it was not damaged."
Paea said she could not release the actual amount of cash in the vault due to bank policy but confirmed that it was over $1,000 pa'anga. "The cash inside our vault was our most valuable possession and it was the only property that was recovered and not damaged by the disaster."
Meanwhile, their office and equipment including computers, records and bank documents were destroyed but fortunately all their seven staff members survived.
Operating
Paea said since re-opening the branch on October 6, they were now operating fully from a temporary office at Niuatoputapu High School.
"We are able to perform our daily cashier duties of deposits and withdrawals as well as money transfers, which are essential to our customers."
Paea acknowledged that the TDB Nuku'alofa head office had quickly providing them with support following the tsunami. "They have sent us new bank documents such as withdrawal and deposits slips, loan documents and our records.
"We also have our technician in the island to set up our computer sent up on the HMNZS Canterbury yesterday. And we are just happy to be back in business and serving the people of the island," said the manager.