Date set for Tonga ferry manslaughter trial
Doomed Princess Ashika
Jonesse, former managing director of the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP), ferry captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu, first mate Semisi Pomale, and the acting director of marine, Viliami Tu'ipulotu, have been charged with manslaughter by negligence for the death of Vae Fetu'u Taufa, a passenger on the inter-island ferry which sank off the coast of Nuku'alofa on August 5 with the loss of 74 lives.
The corporation itself has also been charged.
At an earlier committal hearing, Tuputupu and Pomale elected to be tried by a jury, Tu'ipulotu by a judge alone, with Jonesse and the SCP yet to decide.
The accused also face a raft of charges related to shipping safety, including sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
Jonesse advised Tongan authorities to buy the vessel and is additionally charged with using a forged document.
Tonga's police commander said there may be more arrests as further evidence is gathered.
A recently-completed Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking said it was “alarming” the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia recommended the ferry's purchase “without any proper due diligence, surveys, inspections, valuations, documentation or proper inquiry having been completed”.
SOURCE: OTAGO DAILY TIMES/PACNEWS
News feature
There are no related media to this article.