Five people are dead after a boat flipped over in waters off of New Zealand's South Island on Saturday, with "indications" the vessel capsized after colliding with a whale. A rescue operation that spanned nearly seven hours ended when a police dive squad recovered five bodies from inside the vessel. Kaikoura mayor Craig Mackle told AFP there were "indications" the boat had collided with a whale, however police wouldn't comment on that possibility as their investigation continued. "Humpback whales are coming through at the moment and we have sperm whales that are resident." "This is a tragic event that affects many lives, not least of all, family and loved ones," Mackle said.

Source: New Zealand Herald September 10, 2022 08:41 UTC