Updated 10.50

At least 21 people are now known to have died after a powerful cyclone hit Fiji at the weekend.

Officials fear that number will rise, as news filters in from more remote areas.

Cyclone Winston lashed the Pacific islands on Saturday, causing widespread damage.

Winston - a Category 5 storm - is the most powerful cyclone to ever hit the country, barreling across the main island of Viti Levu and other areas.

These photos were taken by the New Zealand Defence Air Force and published to Facebook by the Fijian government.

The Fijian government posted these photographs of damage from the New Zealand air force on Facebook.