Society

Chinese student feared drowned in ocean

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-07 16:35

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Police fear a Chinese student missing near Auckland since Sunday is almost certainly dead as her family prepares to come out from China.

Yue Gui, 30, a doctoral student also known as "Alice," was last seen at 11 pm on Saturday at the Leigh Marine Reserve Faculty, operated by Auckland University, about 80 km north of Auckland, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported Tuesday.

Police Sergeant Bede Haughey said it was feared she fell into the water off rocks while doing a routine ocean temperature check.

The tide on Sunday morning was 4 to 5 meters high "so it is consistent with her being swept away from the location," Haughey told NZPA.

She was reported missing Sunday afternoon, along with the water temperature-measuring apparatus, but all her belongings were still in her room, said the report.

Haughey had spoken to her next-of-kin through an interpreter and they were coming straight from China, although the report gave no details of where in China they lived.

"They were quite traumatized, but they're hopeful that there will be a positive outcome to the search, but they're aware that as time progresses the chances of Alice being found alive diminish. "

About 10 police dive staff and a police helicopter were involved in the search Tuesday, along with civilians combing the shore. Haughey said the search would continue Wednesday, if necessary.