Kaya Selby of RNZ

A whale-watching boat carrying several New Zealand Anglican Church delegates capsized and sank in Tonga on Saturday.

A whalesin Vava’u. Photo/Akosita Lavulavu (Facebook)

RNZ Pacific understands several passengers were briefly hospitalised, but there were no serious injuries.

Paramedics from New South Wales, who were in the country for a Rotary International training event, led the rescue.

“Before leaving, the Bishops, Chaplains and leaders of the group led a prayer, thanking and blessing the team for the help and support they had provided,” a Rotary statement read.

“It was a very special and humbling moment for our team, and certainly not something we expected when we started the day.”

The Diocese of Polynesia had recently finished their General Synod in Nuku’Alofa, with delegates present from across New Zealand and the Pacific.

More to come…

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz