Tonga's Minister of Transport Hon. Paul Karalus announced his resignation this afternoon, July 11, six days after the sinking of Tonga's domestic ferry, with the tragic loss of 95 persons, 93 of whom remain missing.

The Minister who is responsible for shipping and aviation, said that he had tendered his resignation yesterday to the Princess Regent, Princess Pilolevu Tuita, and the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, so that he can give his full support to the investigation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika.

Paul said that to enable the work of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to run smoothly he would not be talking about any matters relating to the Princess Ashika in public.

When asked if he resigned because of the sinking of the Ashika, Paul was firm in his response that the MV Princess Ashikawas seaworthy and he had sighted documents to support its seaworthiness.