The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is coordinating the search for an emergency beacon detected near Tonga earlier today.
RCCNZ has tasked a Royal New Zealand Airforce Orion to search for the beacon, which was detected by satellite about 140 nautical miles (260km) south/south-west of Tonga just before 10am. It is thought that a drifting fishing boat may have activated the beacon, but no further information is available at this stage.
The Orion is expected to arrive in the area at about 4pm today.
A further update will be provided as and when any new information comes to hand.
