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It is with sadness to watch on the television about the catastrophic incident that happened to the Ashika at Ha'afeva that caused many lives missing. Our prayer, love, and condolences goes to all families in Tonga, UK, and Japan who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. We pray that God's peace and blessing be with you all and God's grace and love abiding, too, may guide you all in this time of sorrow. May our heavenly father can comfort all families, kainga, villages, and churches also give everyone strength to withstand and stand shoulder-to-shoulder and support during this time of grieving. - Viliami T Tiseli

I know that this is not the time to point finger and ask who is responsible for inspecting this vessel (Princess Ashika) before allowing it to service my people? To that person and to that department who allows for this vessel to operate in the Kingdom of Tonga are fully responsible for this tragedy. - PK

I am looking for our two friends who were backpacking in Tonga, and were planning on traveling to Vava'u by ferry. If anybody has seen or heard from them, please could you ask them to phone Bruce & Lucy in New Zealand, 0064 75447113. - Lucy Goodchap

The MV Princess Ashika was taking in water faster than the crew could bail it out, when a large wave struck and the ferry overturned, sinking almost instantly, a survivor, Viliami Latu Mohenoa (32) told Matangi Tonga Online this afternoon, July 7. By Linny Folau

Navy divers from New Zealand and Australia have been asked to come into Tonga to reach the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika that is lying in over 36m (100 feet) of water, possibly holding the bodies of dozens of trapped victims.

Police and emergency services trying to verify the passenger list of the MV Princess Ashika disaster have the following 24 hour telephone hotlines for information.

A total of 55 people are accounted for but an unconfirmed number are still missing at sea after the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika in Ha'apai, waters last night, and now nearly 24 hours after the disaster families in Tonga and abroad are trying to come to terms with their losses.

Of the 96 people who left Nuku'alofa on board the MV Princess Ashika, yesterday, according to the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. list released at around midday today, the known survivors include 27 crew and 23 passengers, at this early stage thought to be all male.

HM King George Tupou V celebrated his 61st birthday, officially on Saturday, August 1, with a luncheon at the Royal Palace following a military parade at Pangai Lahi. Photos by Linny Folau and Pat Car