Tongan King passes away

King George Tupou V, who introduced Tonga’s first democratically elected parliament, has died after a six year rule.

The 63-year-old was rushed to a hospital in Hong Kong yesterday afternoon and died a few hours later with brother and heir to the throne, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka at his bedside.

Tongan Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano said his untimely death is an unexpected black storm cloud that has covered the kingdom.

He asked Tongans to pray for comfort for the royal family and all the people of Tonga.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sitiveni Halapua said to Radio NZ it was public knowledge that King George was receiving treatment in the United States for cancer, but news of his death came as a great surprise.

King George was sworn-in in September 2006 following the death of his father, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.

Funeral details will be announced later.

The elders of the village of Sawana in Vanuabalavu, Lau, will hold a meeting tonight in the village hall to traditionally convey to the 13 families about the death of the King of Tonga.

Tikina representative of Sawana Pita Foi’akau confirmed the church minister who is a Tongan national, Reverend Sione Mone, will also be present in the meeting.

The people of Sawana will now follow Fijian protocol and await word from the Vuanirewa clan who will lead their funeral delegation to Tonga.

Foi’akau said Sawana is known as a Tongan village in Fiji and the first Tongans came with Ma’afu in the 1800s.

Some Tongans came as missionaries and got married to the women of Sawana.


Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima