Rabaul Queen probe almost done

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Monday 29th April 2013

 POLICE investigations into the sinking of mv Rabaul Queen is nearing completion with arrests expected soon, according to the investigation officers.

The officers have been collecting evidence from New Guinea Islands in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kimbe (West New Britain) and Rabaul (East New Britain) and Lae (Morobe).

Lae’s lead investigator Senior Insp Ben Turi said they had completed their investigation and would be studying the documents.

Turi said the first part of the investigation was to gather evidence including interviewing witnesses, 

collating reports and working out the appropriate charges. 

The second part involved the arrest and charging of those found to have breached the law.

He said to collect statements from witnesses took almost three months. 

“It was a mammoth task that we have undertaken in interviewing witnesses and collecting evidences in Lae, Kimbe, Rabaul, Bougainville, Kavieng and even some parts of the highlands.” 

Turi said the investigators would assemble in Port Moresby and study the files as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had ordered a Commission of Inquiry to look into the sinking of mv Rabaul Queen in Vitiaz Strait, off the coast of Finschhafen in Morobe on Feb 2, 2012.

More than 160 passengers travelling from New Guinea Islands into mainland PNG perished in the waters of Finschhafen.

The national government allocated K8 million for the families of the victims and the 246 survivors.