The wreck of a Second World War hospital ship has been found off the coast of Australia.

The ship was torpedoed by the Japanese off the coast of the northern state of Queensland in 1943, killing 268 people.

The sinking of the Centaur is seen as one of the biggest disasters Australia faced during World War II.

Survivors and family of the victims have long sought for the ship to be located.

The team that found the ship was hired by the Australian government.

The torpedoing of the Centaur is considered to be a war crime, but no-one has ever faced trial.

Photo: Hospital ship Centuar - EPA/ANP