October 6, 2024 – 2:20 pm
A view of the burning New Zealand Navy ship from Tavetuala, Samoa – Photograph: Dave Ball via Reuters
The Royal New Zealand Navy ship ran aground and sank off the coast of Samoa, but the 75 crew and passengers are safe. Reuters According to a statement issued by the New Zealand Defense Force.
Commander Shane Arndell, commander of the New Zealand Defense Forces Marine Division, wrote that the Navy's diving and hydrography vessel Manawanui ran aground near the south coast of Upolu on Saturday night while conducting a coral reef survey.
Several other ships immediately responded to the call for help and helped rescue the crew and passengers who left the ship in lifeboats. A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft was also used for the rescue. The New Zealand Defense Force said the cause of the stranding was unknown and required further investigation. According to videos and photos published by local media, thick clouds of gray smoke rose from the ship after it ran aground.
The ship later capsized and was already under water at 9:00 a.m. local time.
The Defense Forces announced that it is cooperating with the authorities in the investigation and in order to reduce environmental damage. A plane will depart for Samoa on Sunday to return the rescued crew and passengers to New Zealand, Navy Commander Admiral Jarren Golding said at a news conference in Auckland.
