Tonga

Kaniva News reports Fisatina Puafisi, 45, of Tofoa was believed to have been lost at sea on December 23 after walking down the beach from Little Italy with a kayak, Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai said.

Puafisi was staying at Little Italy and he checked in on the December 22.

His brother reported him missing to Police yesterday.

Police Search and Rescue boat the Alotolu is now conducting the search.

Tongan citizens Sione Taumalolo, 11, and Talita Moimoi, 33 died when the bus went off the road near Gisborne.

Newstalk ZB reports many more were injured. 

The bus was carrying students and teachers from a Tongan college, who were here to perform a church concert on Christmas Day. There were 53 people onboard.

Local woman Kristina Williams, who was one of the first people on the scene, said she started the page in an effort to help.

Kaniva News reports the missing person is Frank Doblitz and married to a Tongan woman from Hihifo, Haʻapai.

Doblitz and his family are living in Germany and they were visiting their family in Haʻapai during the holidays.

His brother in law reported him missing to the Haʻapai Police after Doblitz went out swimming and didn’t return by nightfall, according to Deputy Police commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai.

They went to check the beach at Hihifo but he was nowhere to be found.

Haʻapai Police with their Search and Rescue boat Amolua was deployed.

Police confiscated a total of 2,794 cans and bottles of different types of alcohol which were stocked and sold without a liqour license.

Kaniva News reports a 45-year-old man was arrested and charged with the illegal selling of the alcohol.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai, said the seizure came as part of Police Christmas and holiday operation, dubbed Operation Vï.

“This is among the largest raids by police relating to alcohol being sold unlawfully, without licence,” Vaisiuai said.

The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga Police, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Private Sectors were called in to help fight the blaze, a government statement said.

Kaniva News reports the blaze reportedly broke out early Christmas morning at around 5:00-6:00am and the fire services responded at around 10:00am.

The fire as it was in this afternoon Monday 26 was still “uncontrolled”, according to Deputy Fire Commissioner, Mr Sinamoni Kauvaka.

An investigation was underway to determine the cause of the fire.

RNZ reports the country's Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva told Parliament earlier this year he was doubtful that Tonga would be ready in time to host the Games.

He also became embroiled in a dispute with Lord Sevele, who he attempted to remove as CEO of the Tonga 2019 Organising Committee.

President of the Pacific Games Council, Vidhya Lakhan, said his organisation knows what is required to deliver a successful Pacific Games and have been doing so for over 40 years.

He said Tonga had the people and the time to ensure it puts on a memorable Games.

Energy Specialist at ADB’s Pacific Regional Department – Woo Yul Lee, told the Financial News Agency that the grid rehabilitation will promote greater efficiency and reduce electricity distribution losses.

The improvements will make Tonga’s power distribution network more resilient to climate change and rehabilitate electricity network in remote parts of the country.

The kingdom is heavily reliant on fossil fuels like diesel for our energy, consuming an estimated 13 million liters every year to generate electricity for over 103,000 of the country’s residents.

The police officers will cover checkpoints, beat and patrol to ensure the safety of public and their properties.

Tevita Vailea – Acting Chief Superintendent of Nuku’alofa Station told Radio Tonga News the operation is called Operation VI.

Vailea says their focus is to inspect public areas, festive celebrations, national events and to also remain accountable to the public’s needs 24/7.

This end of year special operation was put in place to reduce consumption of alcohol during the festive season.

Kaniva News reports an unconfirmed information said she was on life support while her father was in stable condition.

Tēvita Tupou and his daughter Māʻata Tupou of Houma, Tongatapu were on their way back to Melbourne from Sydney yesterday (Wednesday) when their twin-double cab ute collided with another vehicle.

Emergency services were responding to a serious crash on the Sturt Highway between Hay and Narrandera, NSW media reported.

Sioseti Sunia Koluse, who was in his 30s died, while trying to save a 13-year-old boy after he got into difficulties while swimming at Fotua beach in Kalaʻau last week on Wednesday.

Koluse’s body was recovered and brought to shore by a boat.

According to a news release by the Mormon News website for the Pacific, Koluse was serving as a volunteer youth leader in Teʻekiu for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It said the deceased has served in many lay positions in the Church including as bishop of a Vainī ward.