At least 87 people are now feared dead in the Tonga ferry disaster, police said yesterday, describing the sinking as a "tragedy of huge proportions" for the tiny Pacific island nation.

The number people on board the Princess Ashika, which sank just before midnight last Wednesday, has been revised upwards to 141 following interviews with survivors. The original manifest showed only 79 on board.

Fifty-four passengers and crew were rescued, two bodies had been recovered and 85 people were unaccounted for, police said.

As the search ended its third day, rescue officials accepted there was little chance of finding any more survivors and a New Zealand Air Force Orion which had been sweeping the area was withdrawn from the search.

"This marine disaster is a tragedy of huge proportions for this country. It strikes right at the heart of this seafaring nation," police commander Chris Kelley said, adding that the toll could go higher.

"The news is not good. We now have the names of 141 people who were on the Ashika, as a result of statements taken from survivors... and that number may be more," Kelley said.

"The list of those on board has grown from 79 to 141 in the last 24 hours."