Mini-sub finds human remains near Tongan ferry

A miniature submarine on Tuesday formally identified a ferry that sank off Tonga earlier this month and found some human remains from the scores of people presumed dead, officials said.

But New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, whose navy is leading search efforts, said Tuesday that an operation to salvage the ferry or recover remains of the victims was unlikely.

"I personally think that is likely to be very remote," he told The Associated Press. "It would be not only very expensive but would take some time to deploy and of what merit it would be by the time it got there, would be questionable."

Officials again revised the number of people they believe were onboard the ferry and thus missing to 73 on Tuesday. Conflicting and incomplete information has made it difficult for authorities to get an accurate count.

The Princess Ashika sank minutes after a big wave overturned the ship on Aug. 5 with 129 people on board, said Tongan police chief, Commander Chris Kelley. He said 54 people survived, but police have located only two bodies.

The tragedy has reverberated through the tiny, impoverished South Pacific kingdom, triggering accusations that the government allowed the ferry to operate despite being unseaworthy. The government has rejected the claims.

The New Zealand navy mini submarine searched the outside of the ferry, positively identifying the ship's name plate, but it was unable to look into the main passenger compartment where officials suspect most of the victims were trapped.

But search leader, New Zealand navy Lieut. Cmdr. Andrew McMillan, said they had seen evidence of the victims.

"They have had a look down around the cargo deck area. ... There has been some evidence of human remains in their examinations but that's all the detail I have," he told New Zealand's National Radio.

The unmanned mini submarine had no capability to recover any material from under the sea. McMillan said the vessel, which sank 55 miles (86 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Nuku'alofa, appeared to be intact.

The ferry is lying on the sea bed 360 feet (110 meters) deep - too far for divers to reach without specialist equipment only available overseas.

"Although the team are very happy to have formally identified Princess Ashika, they are frustrated and disappointed at not being able to provide any further information that may bring closure to the Tongan people," McMillan said in a separate statement.

Kelley released a list of 67 names of those still missing - 29 men, 26 woman, and 12 children - leaving just six people whose identities are known but who haven't been confirmed as passengers.

Police say four or five of those unidentified may be foreigners, but they have not been able to confirm details.

Police have said two French and two German nationals and one Japanese were believed to be among the missing. A British national living in New Zealand was one of the bodies recovered.