Tonga’s Ministry of Health has paid its respects to Staff Nurse Diplomate Siokapesi Hefa, the 22-year-old Tokomololo woman who died after a small boat carrying 16 people sank near Faua Wharf last week.

The Ministry said in a Facebook update that a delegation led by Minister for Health Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola visited Hefa’s funeral to pay tribute to the young nurse and offer condolences to her family.

Photos shared by the Ministry showed health workers, including staff dressed in nursing uniforms and others in non-uniform clothing, gathered at the funeral.

The gathering appeared to include a vigil and failotu (prayer service) as colleagues mourned Hefa’s death.

The Ministry’s attendance highlighted Hefa’s connection to Tonga’s health workforce and the loss of a young nursing professional.

As Kaniva News previously reported, Hefa died after a small boat carrying 16 passengers sank on Wednesday, September 2, near Fāua Wharf in Nuku‘alofa.

Two other people were hospitalised following the incident.

Hefa’s death prompted an outpouring of grief, with the latest tribute bringing together members of the health profession to farewell one of their young colleagues.