The capsize of a fishing boat in New Zealand that was carrying 11 passengers who were members of a bird enthusiast group ended in the deaths of five people on board.
The boat capsized early this morning in Goose Bay, located south of the coastal town of Kaikura. A total of six people, including the skipper, were rescued from the water.
According to the sources, the police have confirmed that a boat was involved in a collision with a whale, but they are still investigating what caused the incident.
It is speculated that a local fishing charter company is the one in charge of the vessel in question.
Throughout the course of the day, search and rescue helicopters as well as volunteers from the Coast Guard were mobilised to assist with the recovery operation.
It has been reported that a rescue effort that lasted for several hours has resulted in the boat being hauled to shore at this time.
The police said in a statement that they were responding to a “boat that has capsized,” but they did not provide any other details.
The South Bay slipway is off-limits to the general public while the authorities investigate the incident.
There were eleven passengers on board the boat, as stated by a woman who works for a fishing charter.