Angry mob gather outside hospital

Medical staff stand by at Pangai on Lifuka Island to help survivors of the sinking of the Princess Ashika. Photo / Emily Penn

While the captain of sunken ferry Princess Ashika lay in hospital protected by police, a mob of angry locals were outside demanding answers.

Aucklander Manu Vakuvaku was in Tongatapu's Vaiola Hospital with a broken toe - not far from 42-year-old captain William Tuputupu.

"There are noises of people and vehicles hooting outside and police is everywhere, police walking up and down pas[t] our door," he said in an email to the Herald.

A nurse told Mr Vakuvaku there was "an angry mob of people outside the hospital who is demanding answers about their families".

Mele Finau, another nurse at the hospital, told the Herald Mr Tuputupu was not injured, but was depressed, and was discharged about midday.

Admitted on Thursday night to be treated for shock, the local ferry captain was escorted home with family members about midday (Tongan time) yesterday. Police planned to interview him that day in relation to the sinking.

"The sooner the better," Inspector Sione Talanoa told the Herald yesterday."

Police spokeswoman Soko To'ia said the disturbance outside the hospital was "to be expected".

She said police were "taking measures to protect [surviving] crew members and passengers".

Ms To'ia was at the Tongatapu domestic airport yesterday - with Acting Prime Minister Viliani Tangi and Police Commander Chris Kelley - to greet survivors flying in from Ha'apai.

The latest report showed 117 people were on the boat when it started to sink and 62 were unaccounted for, Ms To'ia said.