WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government said Monday it had agreed to pay 10 million Samoan tala ($3.6 million) in compensation to Samoa’s government, a year after New Zealand sailors drove a navy ship aground on a reef off the Pacific Island nation.

All 75 people on board evacuated to safety as the boat foundered about 1.6 kilometers (a mile) off the coast of Upolu, Samoa’s second largest island before it caught fire and sank. The wreck of HMNZS Manawanui remains at the site of the sinking on Oct. 6, 2024, and a decision about whether it will remain there hasn’t been made.

The vessel sank due to failings of the crew and ship, an official inquiry found. The ship’s crew didn’t realize the vessel was on autopilot and believed something else had gone wrong as it plowed toward

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