Samoan coast where King Charles will visit worries about the future after ship damaged reef

SIUMU, Samoa (AP) — Under clear skies Tuesday, shortly after sunrise in the beachside fishing village of Siumu, Samoa, a dozen men and children prepared their small boats for a day at sea. But underwater, a mile off the coast, a sunken New Zealand naval vessel is forcing them to travel farther away to fish than before, and worrying many in the area about the future.

The village, festooned with Samoan and British flags, is bustling with preparations to host King Charles III and Queen Camilla when the royals arrive on Wednesday for a biennial meeting of leaders from 56 Commonwealth countries. It is the first time a Pacific Island nation has hosted the event.

But Siumu was already busy. New Zealand and Samoan officials have been working for weeks along miles of nearby coastline to monitor and deal with environmental damage caused by the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui, which ran aground on the reef, caught fire and sank earlier this month.

The 75 people on board the specialist dive and hydrographic vessel — one of nine ships in New Zealand's navy — were all evacuated safely.

Early fears of a catastrophic fuel spill were later quashed by officials who said oil had not gushed from the ship as it sank. But many who live in Siumu and surrounding villages are worried that damage to the reef from the wreck threatens their longer-term survival.

“I don’t know when it’s going to be good again and to (go) back to the normal,” said Netina Malae, who has temporarily closed her small resort at nearby Tafitoala. The colorful fales, or huts, lining the beach sit empty.

Recovery efforts on the reef have focused on removing three large shipping containers left after the sinking, one of them laden with food. New Zealand's military hoped to float the final one — which is empty and damaged — to shore on Tuesday, although winds and tides threatened their efforts.

Meanwhile, fishers who once spent their days where the boat foundered face longer and more expensive trips, they told The Associated Press.

“We doubled the amount of petrol to go far out to get fish,” said Faalogo Afereti Taliulu, citing advice from Samoa’s government that seafood from around the sunken ship should not be eaten. “That’s why that’s our concern. It’s financially affecting us.”

Taliulu and others from the village on Upolu, the largest island of Samoa, fish mostly for tuna. It is their biggest industry and a family affair.

His cousin, Taula Fagatuai, said currents and tides meant the fishers were unsure if seafood they were catching outside the exclusion area was safe to eat. Just what's happening to the fragile marine ecosystem around the vessel, its anchor chain and shipping containers is not yet clear.

“That boat is going to be ruining our reef,” Fagatuai said.

Some in Siumu and surrounding villages are urging New Zealand’s government to pay compensation for their lost earnings, but a swift resolution is unlikely. The cause of the ship’s sinking is unknown and a court of inquiry has been established to investigate the episode.

How much fuel is seeping from the vessel is another contested matter. New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins said last week that a residual “trickle” of diesel from the ship was evaporating quickly from the ocean's surface. She said the amount of fuel that had spilled into the ocean was less than what had been reported by Samoan officials and that much of what the ship was carrying burned out in the fire.

Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa assured reporters last week that there was “no evidence of any leaks" from the vessel's main tanks.

But it's unclear how much diesel flowed from the ship as it sank, Commodore Andrew Brown, the senior national representative for the New Zealand’s military in Samoa, told the AP on Tuesday. Retrieving the remaining fuel from the sunken vessel was a priority, he said.

There are not yet plans to raise the vessel from its resting place.

Officials are monitoring the coastline, the diesel sheen on the water surface and its movement in the currents, Brown said.

Officials from both countries have said there is no visible damage to Samoa's beaches or wildlife. But some in the surrounding villages, who say they have seen oil in the water coating people or fish, are not reassured.

“My children went to the spot where they surf. And when they came back they said that everywhere there is oil,” Malae said. “And then I touched their bodies -- slippery with the oil. So I’m sure that this oil was there.”

The disaster unfolded as Samoa prepared to host the British royals — who will stay at a resort near Siumu's fishing village — and other world leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Meetings among civil society leaders have already begun, with an official opening ceremony scheduled for Friday.

But uncertainty over the sunken ship has hurt tourism during the event. Malae usually takes visitors out to sea on fishing or surfing trips or to spot turtles. Now, she said, “it's all stopped.”

Graham-McLay reported from Wellington, New Zealand.

A man and woman rest in the shade of a Commonwealth Heads of Government banner in Apia, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

An excavator is used to drag a shipping container onto the beach, left, as another sits on a trailer in the village of Mulivai Safata, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, near where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

An excavator is used to drag a shipping container onto the beach in the village of Mulivai Safata, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, near where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Michael Malae paddles into shore after surfing at Sima PJ Beach Fale resort in the village of Tafitoala, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, near where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Netina Malae talks about how a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6, near her Sima PJ Beach Fale resort in the village of Tafitoala, Samoa, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Netina Malae walks past a hut at her Sima PJ Beach Fale resort in the village of Tafitoala, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, near where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Netina Malae stands in the shade at her Sima PJ Beach Fale resort in the village of Tafitoala, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, near where a New Zealand navy ship ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defence Force, divers survey the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the southern coast of Upulo, Samoa, after the Manawanui ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AC Jese Somerville/New Zealand Defence Force via AP)

In this photo provided by the New Zealand Defence Force, divers survey the area around HMNZS Manawanui on the southern coast of Upulo, Samoa, after the Manawanui ran aground and sank on Oct. 6. (AC Jese Somerville/New Zealand Defence Force via AP)

Deputy Chief of the New Zealand Navy, Commodore Andrew Brown comments in Apia, Samoa, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, about the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A young girl swims at the dock where fishing boats launch in the village of Siumu, Samoa, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Fishermen from in the village of Siumu, Samoa, prepare to leave on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, to fish near the New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui thats sank not far from the village. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Fishermen Taula Fagatuai, left, and Faalogo Afereti Taliulu talk on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, about the New Zealand navy ship HMNZS Manawanui that sank not far from them in the village of Siumu, Samoa. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

People from the village of Siumu, Samoa, work on decorating the entrance of their village on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as they prepare for the arrival of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Women and children gather near a sign in a village near in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, that refers to their sponsored country of India ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings starting later in the week. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A handmade sign recognizes Papua New Guinea as the sponsored country of a village near in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings starting later in the week. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Children try their luck fishing off a dock next to a fish market in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A person pays for his purchase at the fish market in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Taula Fagatuai, right, sells the mahi mahi and bonito he caught at the fish market in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

The Malaysian flags flies at their sponsored village of Lepea, the village of Samoa's first prime minister Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II and the current prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa Lepea, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, ahead of Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings starting later in the week. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

People from the village of Siumu, Samoa, work on decorating the entrance of their village on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as they prepare for the arrival of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

People gather together at a meeting place near a portrait of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the village of Siumu, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as the village prepares for the arrival of the royals. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A car turns off a road decorated with flags and a portrait in the village of Siumu, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as the village prepares for the arrival of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A car drives on a road decorated with flags and a portrait in the village of Siumu, Samoa, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as the village prepares for the arrival of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

People from the village of Siumu, Samoa, work on decorating the entrance of their village on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, as they prepare for the arrival of King Charles III. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Painted portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are displayed at a school in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, before a visit of the royals ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings starting later in the week. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Colorful fish are displayed for sale at the fish market in Apia, Samoa, on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

PARIS (AP) — Tennis players at the French Open say they haven’t experienced conditions this hot at Roland Garros since the Paris Olympics.

And the 2024 Olympics were held in July and August.

Temperatures for the opening two days of the clay-court Grand Slam have soared to 33 degrees C (91 F) — far beyond normal for late May in the French capital. And it’s forecast to stay that way for the entire first week.

Besides making it uncomfortable for fans and players alike, the sultry conditions have also created faster conditions on court — changing the pace of the game.

“It is much different. Maybe it was that hot in the Olympics but the balls were different, so I wouldn’t treat it as the same tournament,” four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek said after routing Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in the first round on Monday.

Players have been putting bags of ice around their necks on changeovers to stay cool, while fans are refreshing themselves under sprinklers.

When workers water the clay courts between sets, they have taken to directing their hoses at spectators begging to be doused, too.

“I don’t remember the last time it was so hot at Roland Garros,” Russian-born Australian player Daria Kasatkina said after beating Zeynep Sonmez 6-4, 6-4. “Maybe one day. But we’re going to have it for the whole week.”

Kasatkina said the energy-sapping temperatures made for more up-and-down matches.

“You can suddenly just get out of the bench and feel that your focus dropped,” she said. “So this is a battle which you have to also win. … Whoever adapts better to today’s conditions gets it.”

Canadian player Gabriel Diallo said the heat was the main reason why he retired midway through his match against James Duckworth on Sunday.

Both Andrey Rublev and opponent Ignacio Buse called for the trainer on separate occasions during the second set of their match on Monday.

Buse took a medical timeout and had salts and minerals added to his water bottle as a stethoscope was placed on his chest. Rublev received treatment a few games later.

The French Open is usually cool compared to the heat at the Australian Open and U.S. Open.

But like in Australia and New York, the French Open has adopted an extreme weather policy.

If the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) — which takes into account temperature, humidity, sun, wind and other factors — reaches 30.1 degrees C (86 F) or higher, 10-minute cooling breaks can be installed between the second and third sets for women’s matches and between the third and fourth sets for men’s matches.

If the WBGT hits 32.2 C (90 F), play is suspended. It would require an air temperature of about 38 C (100 F) for play to be suspended.

Some players were embracing the hotter air.

“I’ve always preferred hot and lively conditions to chilly on a clay court, because I feel like I can bring a little bit more of my all-court tennis on this type of surface,” Australian player Alex de Minaur said after beating Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

“It’s easier to be a little bit more aggressive. The ball is jumping. I don’t necessarily have to use as much spin or heaviness, and I can let the conditions do the job for me. And it’s quite physical. I don’t mind the heat,” De Minaur added.

Same goes for American player Alex Michelsen, who eliminated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets.

“It’s definitely good for us Americans,” Michelsen said. “Generally we’re big serve, big forehand, big ground game and like to play offense. When it’s super hot, the ball is moving through the air very fast. … I was so happy when I saw the forecast.”

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

A stadium worker sprays the court with water before the first round men's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Visitors cool themselves with water from sprinklers during a hot day at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

A woman cools herself with a portable fan during the first round men's singles tennis match between Alex De Minaur of Australia and Toby Samuel of Britain at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Spectators cool themselves with hand fans during the first round women's singles tennis match between Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Anna Bondar of Hungary at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Poland's Iga Swiatek gestures for a ballboy as he shields her from the sun during a break at the first round women's singles tennis match against Emerson Jones of Australia at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Visitors cool themselves with water from sprinklers during a hot day at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Alex De Minaur of Australia attends a break during the first round men's singles tennis match against Toby Samuel of Britain at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)