Fiji waters

Three crew members were accounted for when they were picked up by a Fijian Navy patrol shortly after the tuna longliner FV Tiro II sank on 21 May.

They were questioned and then released by police earlier this week.

A spokesperson for the Fiji Navy said the search covered an area of almost 8000 square kilometres.

The decision to suspend the operations was not taken lightly.

Earlier Captain Humphrey Tawake told Fiji media the alleged murder took place following a "heated argument" between two Fijian crew members.

Debris has also been discovered in the area believed to be from the four-seater helicopter that had first been reported missing on Friday night.

The helicopter had been transporting a two-year-old child from Naitaubua island to a hospital in Labasa, accompanied by their mother.

The pilot was reported to be the only other person on the board.

Search and rescue teams have also been found items from the helicopter along the shores of Natewa Bay.