PORT MORESBY. The bodies of four victims of the MV Rabaul Queen ferry sinking off Papua New Guinea have been found. They are the first recovered of the more than 100 passengers and crew feared drowned when the ferry sank in rough seas on Thursday.

At last report 246 people had been rescued.

Relatives of survivors yesterday criticised the ferry operator, Star Ships, and its owner, Peter Sharp, over the tragedy, one of the worst in PNG history.

Star Ships had issued a statement saying it was helping in the search for survivors.

The search for survivors is an international effort, with Australia providing spotter planes and organising for six foreign vessels to pick up survivors.