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Ferry Trajedy in Tonga

(The H.M.V. Princess Ashika, an inter-island ferry, sinks with loss of life)

On August 5, 2009, the Tongan island ferry, Princess Ashika, capsized and rapidly sank in the swells between Tonga’s capital (Nuku’alofa) and the island of Ha’afeva. Estimates on fatalities range from 75 to 95, with most victims trapped below deck. Only two bodies were recovered from the sea. Fifty-three survived by climbing into automatically deployed lifeboats. Tonga’s other ferry was only two hours behind and picked up the survivors. All the survivors were men, except for one woman—a female soldier. All 28 crew members and the captain survived. An investigation is scheduled to begin soon.

Renee Carlson (missionary) received a call early on the morning following the sinking from one of the church staff members. Aki said, “The ferry has sunk and Simaima is missing.” Simaima was at the youth service the previous Friday as Renee shared about going through struggles in life. During the altar time she said, “All those that want prayer for God’s help when you face the most difficult situations ahead, raise your hand.” We prayed for Simaima. Renee said, “That was the last time I saw her, but I know she went to be with Jesus.”

Pastor Piutau, a young pastor in the outer islands, was also missing. Piutau used one of Randy’s ministry boats named the “Speed-the-Light.” He was returning home to bring the boat to Tongatapu (the main island) for General Council in September. A survivor said when last seen, Piutau was going to save some children trapped inside the ferry. Randy said Piutau was a seaman, so if anyone could have survived it would have been him. But he did not make it, and he leaves a wife and four small children.

Later it was discovered that some new converts were lost. They were baptized on the Sunday before the doomed vessel left Nuku’alofa.
Whole families are impacted. One little four-year-old lost her mother, father, and two sisters—her entire family.

Australia and New Zealand sent special equipment to raise the ferry, but it slid into an underwater ravine and went from 115 feet to 300 feet of water. Officials announced that it is impossible to recover the victims still inside the vessel.