Queensland floods: Two bodies found in search for backpackers from Kilkivan to Mundubbera
Two people believed to be missing international tourists were found dead inside a vehicle in Queensland’s flood-affected North Burnett region.
Queensland police found a silver Subaru Forester on Kilkivan Tansey Road, near McArthur Road in Kilkivan, on Wednesday.
“Following an initial investigation at the scene, police determined that two people in the vehicle were deceased,” a police spokesman said.
Authorities believe the bodies are those of missing tourists, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who traveled from Brisbane to the flood-hit North Burnett region but failed to reach their destination.
While investigations continue, police divers, the forensic accident unit and specialist forensic officers are expected to arrive at the scene on Thursday.
Officials said further investigations were ongoing to officially confirm the identities of those killed.
A new update is expected after these reviews are completed.
The discovery follows a major search launched in the area from Kilkivan to Mundubbera, where floodwaters have recently inundated communities.
Emergency teams, including SES volunteers and helicopters, had been combing the area since Wednesday morning before the vehicle was located.
7 News drone footage showed the 4WD vehicle partially submerged.
WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE.
The tragedy comes as many communities in Queensland and the Northern Territory continue to grapple with widespread flooding.
Further south-west, an emergency declaration was issued in the Western Downs town of Chinchilla after floodwaters submerged parts of the community.
An exclusion zone was set up late Wednesday as authorities organized an evacuation center at the Chinchilla show grounds and at least 10 businesses were reported to be under water.
Meanwhile, Bundaberg residents are still trying to recover after the Burnett River reached 7.4 meters during the latest flood episode, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate and knocking out power to nearly 2,500 homes.
The Northern Territory was also hit hard by the floods; Remote settlements were flooded and hundreds of residents were airlifted to safety.
– from AAP
