A homicide investigation is underway in Nuku’alofa after a male shopkeeper, a Chinese national died this morning at Vaiola Hospital after he was found unconscious in his shop at Halaleva last night.

Police said friends found the man unconscious inside the shop, located on By-Pass Road. He was rushed to hospital at around 11:30pm, but later died at 7:00am this morning, Friday, February 21.

Police are treating the case as a homicide and appealed to the public for information that could assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police emergency number 922. 

No further information including his age and nationality was released, and the police have contacted the Chinese Embassy to locate and inform his next of kin.

It is understood the shopkeeper lived at the back of the shop.