'Multiple bodies' seen floating in floodwaters as NZ's death toll rises
Devastation across New Zealand's North Island is widespread and the death toll is climbing.
New Zealand's death toll from ex-cyclone Gabrielle has climbed to five but there are fears more bodies will be recovered from the harrowing scenes of devastation across the North Island.
On Thursday morning a fifth victim from the storm was found dead in the Gisborne region. Police said they had been caught in floodwaters, Stuff reports.
A volunteer firefighter and a toddler are among those who have died, with the child's body found on Wednesday after authorities believe they were caught in the rising waters.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, one man said that his relative witnessed "multiple bodies" floating in the water in Bay View, a suburb on the east coast of the North island, with another local resident saying that his fellow neighbours had also shared similar grim news.
A man helping chopper crews rescue people from roofs in flood-ravaged Hawke's Bay told Stuff he saw at least one body floating he could not reach.
Wellington hit by earthquake
The country was tormented further by an earthquake overnight, hitting Wellington as well as other areas which have already felt the wrath of the devastating cyclone. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake was felt by tens of thousands of New Zealanders, with aftershocks expected to rock the North Island throughout the day.
The cyclone has caused widespread flooding and destruction, forcing many to flee their homes while New Zealand Police have reported over 1400 people are deemed uncontactable, with most of these individuals situated in the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne areas on the east coast.
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Defence Force continues to be imperative in rescue efforts
The country's defence forces are working tirelessly to rescue residents from their homes and have deployed 71 specialist transport vehicles to help their efforts.
They say their priority is to "save New Zealanders from immediate and serious threats to life or limb" and are helping to communicate and reach those in the community who are isolated due to obstructions in possible transportation paths. Many bridges have been destroyed and power grids have been damaged, impacting rescue efforts.
Residents have been told to brace themselves as severe thunderstorms are expected to batter the north island over the course of Thursday.
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