Prison wardens recaptured two prison escapees early this morning on the Hihifo Road near Puke in Tongatapu, after a 43 day manhunt.

The pair were caught at 5:00am as they were they being transported from Hofoa in the trunk of a vehicle.

Commissioner of Prisons Sione Falemanu told Matangi Tonga Online this morning, that he was delighted that the two men, Peni 'Inia and Sione Uatekini, had been captured.

The pair broke out of the new Hu'atolitoli Prison compound on June 6.

Sione said the pair were apprended this morning after Prison Wardens acted upon information received from the public and they were able to identify those who harboured them.

They learned that the two men were being transported from Hofoa, where they were previously hiding, to a new location at Puke this morning.

The prison wardens did not put up any obvious blockages on the road but surprised the vehicle that transported the two men when they arrived at Puke.

"My men stopped the vehicle and found the two prisoners in the trunk," he said.

He said that the pair were returned to the prison where they are being closely monitored.

The Commissioner of Prisons thanked the public for their support in providing them with the information.

In the meantime investigation continues into the circumstances of their escape and people who harboured and assisted them while the men were on the run.