On Saturday, a boat capsized in the water near New Zealand’s South Island, killing five people. There are “signs” that the boat capsized after hitting a whale. Local officials say that the boat, with 11 people on board, mostly from a bird-watching group, capsized around 10 a.m. at Goose Bay, about 15 km (9 mi) south of Kaikoura. The water was calm.
A nearly seven-hour-long rescue operation ended when a police dive team pulled five bodies from the boat. Six people were saved, and only a few of them were hurt. Media reports said that the boat’s captain had made it out alive.
Earlier, pictures on social media showed survivors waving for help from the overturned hull of the 8.5-meter boat, which police confirmed belonged to a local charter business.
The mayor of Kaikoura, Craig Mackle, told AFP that there were “signs” that the boat had hit a whale. However, police wouldn’t say anything about this possibility while the investigation was still going on.
From what we know right now, it looks like there was a collision. “We don’t know yet what caused it,” Kaikoura Police Sergeant Matt Boyce said at a press conference.
“This is something that has never happened before, and it required a lot of help from the public and emergency services.”
Mackle was confused about how the boat had capsized in what he called “flat, perfect” conditions. He also knew it was a time of year when whales were common off the coast of Kaikoura.
“Right now, humpback whales are passing through, and sperm whales live here.” Kaikoura is a popular tourist destination because it has a lot of wildlife and is the best place in the country to watch whales. Mackle said, “This is a sad event that affects many people, especially family and friends.”
“We’re sorry for them from the bottom of our hearts.”
