The NZ Navy ship which ran aground off the Samoan island of Upolu is on fire and sinking, according to The Post.
Flames and smoke were confirmed to be coming from the HMNZS Manawanui by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority on Sunday morning, it said.
The Post reported that a New Zealander in Samoa, Dave Poole, had told them he had driven to the scene and watched the ship about a nautical mile off the coast “lying on its side, smoke pouring out” and then “slowly sink”.
All of the crew and passengers on the ship had already made it to safety in Samoa.
The ship ran aground while surveying a reef near the village of Siumu, on the southern side of Upolu, at 10.45pm Saturday.
Defence Minister Judith Collins has since said a Court of Inquiry will determine how the HMNZS Manawanui found itself in this situation.
She told media she was not embarrassed by the incident, describing it as a “truly terrible day”.
The main thing is nobody has lost their lives, she said.
Earlier Sunday, the NZ Navy confirmed the ship had capsized.
“At this stage the exact cause of the grounding is unknown and this will need further investigation,” Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell said in a release.
“At 6.40 am Sunday, the ship was listing heavily and smoke was visible from the ship. At 9.00 am it was known to have capsized and was below the surface. The NZDF is working with authorities to understand the implications and minimise the environmental impacts.”
