The death toll in the Princess Ashika ferry disaster in Tonga is expected to rise further, after the number of people missing has risen to 93.

The number of passengers believed to have been on board was has risen from 141 to 149. With 54 rescued and only two bodies recovered, that leaves 93 people unaccounted for.

Our Tongan correspondent Paul Takala said the heavy rain and strong winds yesterday slow the search and rescue mission.