Families mark ferry tragedy

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Relatives of the 74 victims of last year's Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy yesterday.

Most families remembered the occasion with private ceremonies, but some came together for a public memorial service at Tongatapu Faua wharf in the capital, Nuku'alofa.

The service was organised by Tonga-based Japan International Co-operation Agency for volunteer worker Hiroshi Umeda, who died in the sinking. Relatives of others who died were also among the 50-strong crowd.

Among the mourners were Paulo and Sonia Puleheloto and their 8-year-old son, who travelled from Auckland to pay their respects to Sisiliah Puleheloto.