Tongan ferry sinking Royal Commission to begin final public hearings

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Updated February 5, 2010 16:35:13

Next Monday the Tongan Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika will begin its final session of public hearings. The Royal Commission was set up to investigate the sinking of the Princess Ashika in August last year, in which more than 70 people died. It was the biggest maritime disaster in the island kingdom's history. The ferry sank just six weeks after it was purchased from Fiji, and in the 39 days of public hearings so far the Royal Commission has been presented with evidence and testimony that the ferry bought by the Tongan government's shipping company was unsafe and unseaworthy. In the coming weeks Tongan Prime Minister Fred Sevele will be among witnesses taking the stand.

Presenter: Campbell Cooney, Pacific Correspondent

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