A total of 777 suspects had been arrested and charged by the Tonga Police up to December 17, with theft topping the list of offences committed on November 16.

Taniela Faletau, the Tonga Deputy Police Commander said they had charged a total of 392 suspects for theft, 82 with willful damage, 22 for breaking and entry, 10 for arson, and three for attempted arson. The rest of the suspects are charged with other crimes committed since November 16, including drunken conduct, he added.

Some of the accused will appear at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Wednesday December 20, for the arraignment of their various trial dates.

Deaths

Meanwhile, the identities of the remaining five bodies found at the site of the Shoreline fire have not been confirmed.

Taniela said that work was still ongoing to properly identify the remains and there was also no time restriction or limitation on how long the bodies should be kept with them.

The police have previously identified two of the seven bodies found in the gutted Shoreline building on November 17.