The Rabaul Queen Photo: Supplied
Court proceedings have been re-opened in Papua New Guinea over the country's worst maritime disaster seven years ago.
One hundred and seventy two people lost their lives when the Rabaul Queen ferry sank off Finschafen in Morobe province.
PNG's NBC Radio reports the Minister for Justice Davis Steven announced the reopening of the case this week.
He says the Public Solicitor's office has recommenced proceedings, the case has been filed and is ready to be progressed in the National Court.
He's urged victims of the disaster to come forward in order for the court to determine whether they're entitled to compensation.
The ship owner and captain were cleared of manslaughter charges in 2017.
In August last year, the Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin announced that further charges would not be pursued.