MANO CONFIRMS IDENTITY PROCESS FOR 13 RECOVERED BODIES TO COMMENCE

A major development is expected today in the investigation into last week’s fatal sea tragedy in the waters of East New Britain and a media conference with autopsy and forensic experts will be held this afternoon.

The Provincial Administrator’s office has confirmed that the experts will formally commence the next phase of the identification process for the thirteen victims recovered so far.

This comes as the search continues for fourteen others still missing in the waters off New Ireland and East New Britain.

Authorities say the time and venue for this afternoon’s press conference will be announced later this afternoon

Meanwhile, search for survivors of last week’s tragic boat accident has expanded, but the news remains grim. The Provincial Disaster Committee has confirmed that the death toll has now risen to thirteen.

Six more bodies were airlifted to Rabaul yesterday. However, fourteen people are still missing, prompting authorities to widen the search area across the Bismarck Sea.

Provincial Disaster Committee Chairman, Mr. Levi Mano, confirmed that the six bodies were transferred from the Kavieng hospital morgue to the Nonga morgue in Rabaul yesterday. This brings the total number of recovered victims to 13 since the search began on Sunday, July 19th.

All victims are now at Nonga Hospital, where medical personnel and police are preparing for autopsies and forensic identification.

Mr. Mano emphasized that the search operation is ongoing, with fourteen people still unaccounted for.

The Ministry of Fisheries has joined the effort, with the MV Pokajam now actively combing a massive search zone.

The area stretches from the tip of New Ireland Province, across the Tigak Group of islands and Djau Island, to the West Coast of Namatana near Kokopo. The vessel is also covering the open sea between Watom and Djau Island.