A 45-year-old Chinese fisherman died near Limu Island in Ha'apai on Sunday night, July 17 during a fishing trip when the small boat he was in capsized due to rough seas.

Police Commissioner Kelley and Deputy Commander Taniela Faletau in their Crime Report on July 19, said information received from Ha'apai said the deceased went fishing with his brother in a small boat near Limu island on Sunday night.

The boat they used capsized and according to the brother they struggled in rough seas but managed to reach their main fishing ship anchored nearby but the man died when getting on the ship.

The body was brought to Pangai early morning on July 18 and was examined by a doctor at Niu'ui Hospital. An inquest was conducted on that same day and concluded that the death was due to severe exhaustion.

The man was a crewmember of a Chinese fishing vessel that was catching fish for export.

No further details have been released at this stage by the police.