OFF NUKU'ALOFA — 2009 · Major Tragedy
Princess Ashika Ferry Disaster
Less than a month after entering service in Tonga, the ferry Princess Ashika sank shortly before 11 pm on 5 August 2009 while sailing from Nuku'alofa to Ha'afeva, about 86 km northeast of the capital. Fifty-four people were rescued and 74 died or went missing; only two bodies were recovered. A 2010 Royal Commission found that the 1972-built vessel had not been surveyed before purchase and that unfavourable surveys had not been passed on to Tongan authorities. In 2011 the operating company's managing director, the captain, the first mate and a public official were found guilty of negligence-related charges, and the company was fined $1 million.
- Date
- 2009
- Place
- Tongatapu, Tonga, Off Nuku'alofa, TO
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- -20.4000, -174.9300 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 7 July 2009The ferry began service in Tonga.
- 5 August 2009The ferry sank at night; 74 people died.
- 18 August 2009The wreck was filmed by a remotely operated vehicle.
- 2010A Royal Commission found the ship was unseaworthy.
- April 2011Four defendants and the company were convicted.
Sources
- ABC News — Three jailed over Tonga ferry sinking abc.net.au ↗
- Otago Daily Times — Kiwi found guilty of manslaughter in Princess Ashika trial odt.co.nz ↗
- Wikipedia — MV Princess Ashika en.wikipedia.org ↗
- ABC News
- NZ Herald
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.