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TONGA - Twenty New Zealand forensic experts are being sent to Tonga to help identify people killed in the Nuku'alofa riots.
Specialists from the police and fire service are likely to be in Tonga for the next two weeks as crews sift through fire-gutted buildings in the Tongan
capital.
The forensic team will help the stretched Tongan police, who are investigating 52 crime scenes and more than 30 torched properties.
Entry to Nuku'alofa's central business district remained tightly restricted yesterday as some Tongans returned to work.
The electricity supply has improved in the town, although food is in short supply due to looting. There are long queues of vehicles for petrol and lines of customers at temporary banks set up outside the CBD.
Tongan police are asking tourists or locals who filmed or took photos of the riots for copies to help track down arsonists and looters.
Tonga's police commander, Sinilau Kolo, told the Herald there had been more than 50 arrests and more were expected.
Mr Kolo said the official death toll was six, revising an earlier figure of eight. All the bodies were recovered from the Shoreline building but it was feared more bodies could be found as damaged buildings were checked.
He appreciated the specialist assistance from New Zealand and Australian police.
Tongan political leaders remain at loggerheads, the Government and pro-democracy movement blaming each other for the disaster.
A Government spokesman, Lopeti Senituli, said there was no timeframe as to when Parliament might resume to endorse an agreement for democratic change.
The extra New Zealand personnel will join 70 soldiers and seven police who are part of a 150-strong joint force with Australia.
Joint taskforce commander Lieutenant Colonel Darren Beck said New Zealand and Australian defence forces would remain on duty at Fua'amotu airport. Commercial flights at Tonga's international terminal resumed yesterday.
Among the passengers pleased to be going was Aucklander Bruce McKenzie, who had spent 11 days in Tonga on business.
He got caught up in the drama and helped evacuate a New Zealand couple from their house which was under threat of fire. The smoke was so intense he vomited.
"There was a sense of panic but you had to keep your head about you and try to stay calm," he said.
Mr McKenzie expected the reality would be hitting home for Tongans, especially those who would no longer have a job.
Prime Minister Helen Clark rejected criticism by Tonga's pro-democracy movement over New Zealand sending troops to Tonga.
"But the first thing you have to do is support some process of law and order, and we do that without taking any sides whatsoever," Helen Clark said.
