Australian police take 'black box' off cruise ship in coronavirus homicide probe

Australian police have taken the "black box" of a cruise ship as they probe why health authorities were led to believe it was safe to allow passengers to disembark in Sydney.

Hundreds of the passengers of Ruby Princess later tested positive for coronavirus and 15 have died, sparking public anger.

The captain of the ship was questioned and electronic logs taken as evidence, New South Wales (NSW) state Police Commissioner Mick Fuller added.

About 1,000 crew of various nationalities remain on board the ship.

It comes as authorities said the rate of new coronavirus infections hit its lowest number in three weeks.

"The curve continues to flatten, we are consolidating the gains," Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Canberra.