An American-led expedition which has spent a week examining the wreck of the ferry, Estonia, off the coast of Finland, has presented its findings.

The expedition leader, Gregg Bemis, told a meeting in Germany that they found what might be a hole in the hull of the ship, possibly the result of an explosion.

He said they¿d also seen bodies lying outside the ship, which sank in 1994 killing eight-hundred-and-fifty-two people.

An official enquiry found that the disaster had been caused by weak bow doors torn open by heavy seas.

Neighbouring countries have condemned the expedition for violating the wreck which has been declared a burial site. Mr Bemis said he¿d held his press conference in Germany to avoid arrest in the countries which recognise the wreck as a resting place.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service