Tonga Royal Commission in recess till December

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Updated November 20, 2009 17:40:03

The Tongan Royal Commission into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika has gone into recess until next month. In August the ferry sank while travelling from the capital Nuku'alofa to the outer islands. The MV Princess Ashika sank less than a month after it had been purchased in Fiji. Since the inquiry began proceedings it has heard from survivors of the sinking, the ship's operators and marine staff responsible for allowing it to operate in the seas around the island nation. And althoughque the final report won't be released until next year, so far the evidence indicates the ferry had major issues, and questions have been raised about the process under which it arrived in Tonga.

Presenter: Campbell Cooney, Pacific correspondent

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