Five people died in a boating accident off the coast New Zealand’s South Island, with investigators suspecting a collision with a whale a likely cause.
Six others including the boat captain were rescued.
The private charter boat was carrying a group of birdwatchers.
It capsized in calm seas with Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle saying it may have hit a whale.
“We have an upturned boat tipped over by a whale from what we can understand, came up from underneath.”
Investigators are appealing for witnesses.
“This is an unprecedented event that has involved a significant response from emergency services,” Kaikōura Police Sergeant Matt Boyce said.
“We are still in the very early stages of piecing together what has occurred. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident will be subject to an extensive investigation, which will involve multiple agencies.”
A local resident Kevin Anderson, said he spotted a whale about 300 yards from the boat after it capsized.
“A terrible, terrible tragedy that’s just out of the blue,” he told the New Zealand Herald.
Police divers have recovered the bodies of the five people who died.
