9 Aug 2014

Missing Tongan fishermen believed to be found alive in Fiji

10:12 am on 9 August 2014

Three missing Tongan fisherman are believed to have been found alive in Fiji's Lau group.

Matangi Tonga reports that the Tonga police were contacted by Fiji police yesterday, saying that divers had found three men, believed to be Tongan, swimming in the sea near Oneata.

The police understand that the men were on a reef in the area and had been taken to Oneata and were all well.

Tonga police say they have not yet been able to speak with the three men to confirm their identities, but they're believed to be the missing fishermen.

The three men were last seen going on a fishing trip on the morning of July 30 in Tonga's Ha'apai group.

A local search had been called off after no sighting of the men over several days.