Four men have been charged with manslaughter by negligence following the deaths of 74 passengers in the sinking of the ferry 'Princess Ashika' in Tongan waters in 2009.
According to ABC News, the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia, its Managing Director, New Zealand citizen John Jonesse, the 'Ashika's' captain, his first mate and a former director of the Tongan Ministry of Transport stood trial over the past six weeks, and were found guilty on 30 charges.
During the trial, which had to be moved from the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court building to Tonga's parliament building because of overwhelming public interest, evidence was presented proving that the 1970s-built vessel was not seaworthy.
The four men will be sentenced on Monday. The manslaughter by negligence charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
