New Zealand Police have received more 1,400 reports of people uncontactable across the North Island in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Four people have now been confirmed dead following the storm:
- The body of a young person was located in Eskdale. The child is believed to have been caught in rising water on Tuesday local time.
- The body of a volunteer firefighter was recovered from a landslide in Muriwai early Wednesday afternoon local time.
- A person died following a landslip on a rural property in Matahorua Road, Putorino Tuesday afternoon local time.
- A body was located on the shore in Bay View, Napier Tuesday evening local time.
Police extend their condolences to the families of those who have died and continue to make enquiries into the circumstances.
As of 2.30 p.m. Wednesday local time, 1,442 people have been registered via the Police 105 online reporting form as uncontactable.
There are 111 reports of people now safe.
The vast majority of reports are from Eastern District (Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti) alone, with the remainder from across the North Island.