New Zealand navy sailors rescued from shipwreck

A handout photo taken on April 29, 2020 and obtained from the New Zealand Defense Force on October 6, 2024 shows the Royal New Zealand Navy ship the HMNZS Manawanui (R) in front of HMNZS Otago during a training exercise. —FILE PHOTO/AFP

WELLINGTON—New Zealand said on Sunday it had rescued all 75 sailors from a navy vessel that ran aground and sank off Samoa while conducting a reef survey.

Emergency services worked through the night to rescue dozens of crew from the smoldering and sinking HMNZS Manawanui, after it struck the reef off the south coast of Upolu.

Samoan emergency services said a fire rescue team worked “from last night until this morning” to collect and treat the 75 crew members.

“Fortunately, no one was heavily injured and no lives were lost,” Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority said.

The exact cause of the wreck is not yet known.

The HMNZS Manawanui was used for hydrographic surveys, diving operations and marine salvage and featured a 100-ton sea crane.

It had been conducting a hydrographic survey one nautical mile from shore in difficult conditions.

AFP

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