Families in Tonga are anxious for the release of the names of the passengers who have been rescued this morning after the MV Princess Ashika sank off the coast of Nuku'alofa at 11pm last night with 79 passengers onboard.
They are gathering outside the office of the Shipping Cooperation of Polynesia Limited, the owners of the Princess Ashika to determine if their loved ones are amongst those rescued.
However, a spokesperson for the Shipping Company Nikola Tau told Radio New Zealand that the names will not be released at this stage.
New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Center has launched a major search operation after receiving a mayday call from the Princess Ashika.
Reports so far suggest that at least 52 people have been rescued and 27 others are unaccounted for.
The Princess Ashika, which was once owned by local company Patterson Brothers Shipping and became an icon for inter-island services, is now owned by Shipping Cooperation of Polynesia Limited. The vessel sailed to Tonga and started services in early July this year.
Families await word on missing passengers
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