Ferry captain out on bail

The skipper of Tonga's doomed Princess Ashika ferry has been released on bail, two days after his arrest over the sinking disaster that claimed 74 lives.

On Tuesday the captain, Maka Tuputupu, was charged with five counts of knowingly sailing an unseaworthy vessel. On Thursday morning Tuputupu was released on bail, the Matangi Tonga newspaper reported.

Assistant Police Commander Unga Fa'aoa said a date had not been set for Tuputupu to appear in court for a preliminary hearing.