19 June 2012 Last updated at 00:05 ET

Remote Tongan island searched for missing sailors

Rescuers are searching a remote Tongan island for two Australians missing since their yacht broke up last week.

The men were sailing from the Caribbean to Australia when their boat ran aground off the island of Late on 14 June.

Debris from the boat has been found but an aerial search has turned up no sign of the men.

High seas had prevented the rescuers from landing on Late until Tuesday morning.

"The searchers have been landed ashore and they will camp overnight if necessary," rescue coordinator Mike Roberts said in a statement from Maritime New Zealand, which is co-ordinating the search.

"In addition, we hope to have a vessel do a shoreline search around the island, using kayaks and dinghies."

Sixteen people are combing the the 6km-long (4-mile-long) uninhabited island, which is dominated by a dormant volcano and surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Maritime New Zealand said a search of the island could take two days.

The two missing men, both in their sixties, used a satellite phone to call relatives in Australia as their vessel broke up. One of the men is reported to be a dual Australian-UK national.