New Zealand loses first naval ship to sea since WW2

After one of its ships sank off the Samoa beach, the Royal New Zealand Navy lost its second send to the water since World War Two.

A professional diving and sea imaging send called HMNZS Manawanui encountered problems on Saturday night native time, about one nautical mile from the island of Upolu while conducting a reef survey.

It eventually caught flames before capsizing.

All 75 people on board were evacuated onto boats and rescued early on Sunday, New Zealand’s Defence Force said in a speech.

The grounding’s cause, according to authorities, is mysterious and will be looked into.

The incident took place as a result of a period of squall and wind.

According to military officials, rescuers “battered” tides and winds that pushed life boats and sea ships towards islands, and surges made rescue efforts” challenging.”

According to officials, the area has n’t been surveyed since 1987.

Seven academics and four international military officers are among the passengers on board the ship, and they are being accommodated there before being flown back to New Zealand.

As of 06: 40 local time on Sunday ( 18: 40 BST on Saturday ), the ship was seen listing heavily with smoke billowing from it.

By 09: 00 ( 21: 00 BST on Saturday ), it was below the surface.

During a press conference, defense minister Judith Collins described the incident as” a truly sad day for the Navy.”

She added:” But everyone came through, and that, I have to say, is down to the professionalism]of the crew], the training and their own courage”.

Dave Poole, who witnessed the fleet fire, told the Reuters reports agency:” As we came into the sea we saw the fleet and no smoking. Within 15 minutes fire and smoke were accessible. It sank soon after”.

The second naval ship to accidentally sink in New Zealand since the country participated in naval battles during World War Two is HMNZS Manawanui.

In the intervening time, some other ships were purposefully sunk for several reasons, including as a diving wreck or as an artificial reef.

Military leaders stated that their efforts are now geared toward reducing the impact of the sinking on the environment.