The Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui has sunk off the coast of Samoa after running aground on a reef. The 75 passengers and crew were evacuated into life rafts after the incident on Saturday night - a move that authorities say likely prevented loss of life.

A New Zealand navy ship carrying 75 crew members and passengers caught fire and sank off Samoa, but all on board are safe, the New Zealand Defence Force said on Sunday. The Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui ran aground near the southern coast of Upolu Island in Samoa while conducting a reef survey.

Passengers and crew aboard a New Zealand navy ship have been dramatically rescued after their vessel ran aground off the coast of Samoa in the South Pacific, caught fire and sunk.