Northern Territory Police with Australian Federal Police have commenced the interview process of the three survivors who were released from Hospital to an immigration facility in Berrimah.

While a further two survivors have also been released from Royal Darwin Hospital, NT Police await advice from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship prior to those interviews commencing. This is not expected to occur today.

The team at Ashmore Reef are scheduled back in Darwin with seized debris and witness statements in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Details of the debris will be subject to examination at the NT Police Forensic Laboratories in Berrimah.

While the interview process is well underway, more interviews will be conducted as part of the thorough investigation including medical personnel.

Acting Commander Peter Bravos said the process of interviewing all witnesses is a lengthy process but forms part of the basic principles of a thorough and impartial investigation,

"Five people have tragically lost their lives. Anyone with any information which will assist in determining the circumstances leading to their deaths will be spoken to.

"This will take time, it will not be rushed and it will not miss anyone. This extends beyond witnesses to include medical personnel who have been in significant contact with the surviving passengers from on board the vessel.

"Speaking to everyone with information is a very basic and standard principle of any investigation prior to drawing any conclusions.

"We have the huge task of recording all these accounts from individuals while they remain uninfluenced as much as possible by speculation, rumour, images and so on.

"The images seized as evidence show limited information and therefore form only part of the evidence collected to date.

"While emerging details of individual interviews will not be released to the public, what I will say at this point, is that this was an extremely traumatic experience for all those involved.

"The Australian Defence Force personnel coordinated an outstanding rescue and recovery effort and should be commended for this." A/Commander Bravos said.

All findings in relation to this investigation will be a matter for the Coroner who announced yesterday, will be subject to a public inquest.


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