Bones found on Australian beach belong to missing backpacker

Erwan Ferrieux (right) and Hugo Palmer went missing in February (Instagram)

Bones found off a beach on Australia's east coast are believed to be the remains of a missing backpacker.

Australian police say that DNA testing shows they likely belong to Frenchman Erwan Ferrieux, who disappeared five months ago.

The 21-year-old was last seen with British tourist Hugo Palmer, who is also missing, near the popular tourist town of Port Macquarie.

Three bones were found by members of the public near Flynns Beach last month.

Another bone found on a beach around 300 metres further north was discovered yesterday and has been sent for testing.

Police believe the backpackers may have drowned.

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