Australian police take 'black box' off cruise ship in coronavirus homicide probe

NATHAN PATTERSON / NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE / AFP

Australian police have taken the "black box" of a cruise ship as they probe why health authorities were led to believe it was safe to allow passengers to disembark in Sydney.

Hundreds of the passengers of Ruby Princess later tested positive for coronavirus and 15 have died, sparking public anger.

The captain of the ship was questioned and electronic logs taken as evidence, New South Wales (NSW) state Police Commissioner Mick Fuller added.

About 1,000 crew of various nationalities remain on board the ship.

It comes as authorities said the rate of new coronavirus infections hit its lowest number in three weeks.

"The curve continues to flatten, we are consolidating the gains," Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Canberra.

More from International News

News

  • UAE soldier dies during training mission

    The UAE Ministry of Defence has announced the death of soldier Issa Ghuloom Al Baloushi, who passed away during a training mission in the country on Saturday.

  • UAE expresses concern over military escalation in Sudan

    The UAE has expressed deep concern over the continued military escalation by the two warring parties in several areas of Sudan, including El Obeid, and the impact on civilians and the worsening humanitarian situation.

  • UAE steps up relief aid for Lebanon

    Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is sending humanitarian aid to people affected by the ongoing crisis in Lebanon through the UAE Aid Agency.