Illegal Fishing: Bodies Found in Freezer

Australia’s ABC News reports that the bodies of three people have been found in the freezer of an illegal fishing boat in a remote part of Papua New Guinea.

The deceased appear to be Asian, and their bodies were packed in amongst a catch of tuna.

Local authorities from Bougainville are on their way to investigate the boat which ran aground on Paona Island. The bodies were discovered on December 10, but the incident has only recently been reported due to the remoteness of the location.

Bougainville disaster co-ordinator Frank Lacey is heading the investigation team, and he said the remaining crew members tried unsuccessfully to destroy the boat before fleeing to a mothership. 

Illegal tuna fishing is common in the area, and one source told the ABC the call sign of the vessel had been tracked to a Chinese owner. However, the vessel was declared lost at sea in June 2014.