At least 15 Tongan workers sustained injuries after their bus overturned near Rotorua, New Zealand, early Sunday morning.
The single-vehicle accident, as reported by RNZ, occurred at the Broadlands Road and Allen Road intersection, around 7:30 am. Emergency services responded swiftly, with police reporting that ten of the injured were airlifted to hospital.
Three were in serious condition, two had moderate injuries, and five sustained minor injuries.
The bus was transporting 30 workers participating in New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) programme, en route to Hawke’s Bay for work at Mr Apple, a leading fruit company.
Immigration New Zealand’s Pacific Manager, Mike Sorensen, confirmed the workers had just arrived in the country.
Mr Apple’s Gary Jones said a support team, including health professionals and counselors, would assist the workers upon arrival.
This marks the second severe incident involving RSE workers in recent months, following a fatal accident in August.