A team consisting of four Senior Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Officers (RPNGC), three Disaster Victims Identification Specialist and a Forensic Pathologist has been flown into East New Britain Province to help with the recovery and identification process for the recovered bodies of the recent boating incident.

East New Britain Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Amanda Kates told PNG HAUSBUNG in an interview this morning that they are there to conduct a Coronial Investigation rather than a homicide investigation as speculated on other media platforms, especially social media.

She explained that the forensic specialists are on site to assist in identifying victims, particularly those with decomposed remains that family members cannot easily recognize. 

A team of CID officers will be conducting part of the coronial investigation by covering the scene of the incident, the departure point, the area where the survivors were found, and the recovery sites in New Ireland province.  

Those findings will then be complied into a report for the Coroner to establish a clear picture of what really happened.

PPC Kates confirmed that the 13 bodies of the victims have now been identified, with the full details expected to be released soon.

She stated that the family members of the victims were able to identify six bodies flown into Nonga General Hospital from Kavieng, bringing the total bodies to 13 bodies that are currently in Nonga.

One additional body remains in Kavieng Hospital morgue, awaiting to be transport to Nonga.

This brings the total number of recovered bodies to 14 after more than a week of searching, while 13 is still missing.

The initial seven recovered bodies were identified as one male, two teenage females, and four adult females.

The six bodies recently transported to Kavieng comprised an adult male, one young boy, a young girl, and three adult females.

Further updates from the Coronial Brief will be released once the investigations are completed by the forensic experts.