Australian state begins criminal probe into cruise ship deaths
Thousands of passengers were permitted to get off this cruise ship in Sydney last month, despite many experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Now an Australian state's launching a criminal investigation into how that was allowed to happen.
Nearly a third of Australia's deaths have been attributed to Carnival's ship Ruby Princess.
On March 19th the liner was allowed to disemark passengers at Sydney's Circular Quay.
Many later tested positive for COVID-19.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE COMMISSIONER MICK FULLER, SAYING:
"There is clear evidence that corona-19 has been brought off that ship. There's clear evidence now that when it port, when it stopped in New Zealand that corona-19 has come off that ship."
The ship's currently stationed off Sydney's coastline, where crew members have been tested for the virus.
Australia has 5,687 confirmed cases as of Sunday (April 5) afternoon, with the death toll rising to 34.
