INTUSK MAGAZINE

The New Zealand Defence Force stated in a statement on Sunday that a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel had run aground and sunk off Samoa, marking the navy's first ship loss since the Second World War.

As it conducted a reef reconnaissance on Saturday night, the navy's specialised diving and hydrographic vessel Manawanui came aground close to the southern coast of Upolu, according to a statement from Commodore Shane Arndell, the commander of the New Zealand Defence Force's marine component. 

To help with the rescue, a P-8A Poseidon from the Royal New Zealand air force was also sent in. The New Zealand Defence Force stated that more study was necessary to determine the cause of the grounding. 

According to a Facebook announcement from Samoa Police, Prison and Corrections Service, rescue activities were coordinated by Australian Defence soldiers and Samoan emergency services with aid from the New Zealand rescue centre.

Late on Sunday, Samoa's acting Prime Minister stated that an oil spill was "highly probable" as a result of the sinking. Samoan officials were conducting an environmental impact study in the area where the ship sank, according to a statement from Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio.