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Two Chinese backpackers found dead in submerged car
Australian police confirmed on Thursday the recovery of two bodies from a vehicle trapped in floodwaters near Gympie, Queensland. The victims, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman from China, were reported missing on Tuesday after failing to arrive at their destination in the North Burnett region.
Search and discovery
A large-scale search operation involving police, the State Emergency Service, and helicopters located the pair's silver Subaru Forester near Kilkivan on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities later retrieved the bodies from the submerged vehicle. Next of kin have been notified, and police are coordinating with the Chinese consulate.
Local reaction
Gympie mayor Glen Hartwig described the deaths as an "absolute tragedy," telling the ABC, "These people have come to Australia to see our beautiful country... and tragically they've ended up losing their lives."
Widespread flooding across Queensland
Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory have been under major flood warnings for days, with river levels continuing to rise due to heavy rainfall. Hundreds of homes have been inundated in areas including Bundaberg, Queensland, and Katherine in the Northern Territory. Authorities have warned residents about crocodiles spotted in floodwaters, urging them to stay clear.
Water supply disruptions
In Darwin, residents have been asked to reduce water usage and boil drinking water after flooding disabled the pump station at the city's primary dam. The station supplies most of Darwin's water, and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
