The HMNZS Manawanui, a New Zealand Navy research vessel, sank off the coast of Samoa while surveying a reef near Upolu, the country's most populous island.

All 75 personnel aboard the ship were safely evacuated after it ran aground early on Sunday, marking the first loss of a naval vessel for New Zealand since World War II.

Survivors faced challenging conditions during their evacuation, taking five hours to reach land; one person required hospitalization for minor injuries, while others sustained cuts and bruises.

By Sunday morning, the ship was heavily listing and sank by 9 a.m., raising concerns about potential environmental damage.

Concerns have been raised about New Zealand's aging military hardware, with warnings describing the navy as 'extremely fragile' due to staffing issues.

New Zealand announced a court of inquiry to investigate the incident, with early reports suggesting a possible loss of power as the cause of the grounding.

A fire reportedly broke out on the ship following the incident, with thick smoke visible behind its structure.

Samoa's acting Prime Minister indicated that an oil spill from the grounded vessel is 'highly probable,' prompting environmental impact assessments in the area.

The ship contained a significant amount of fuel, which has raised concerns about environmental impacts, with New Zealand expected to take responsibility for any spill consequences.

Rear Admiral Garin Golding confirmed that the HMNZS Manawanui had undergone regular maintenance prior to deployment, and was captained by an experienced commander.

Several vessels and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon were deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.

Crew and passengers, including seven scientists and four foreign military personnel, are currently accommodated in Samoa awaiting transport back to New Zealand.