2nd LD: Major search underway after deadly boat accident in New Zealand

Police have confirmed that several people died when a small boat got into trouble in the Kaipara Harbour, north of Auckland, Saturday.

Emergency services had been told that 11 people were on the vessel and a major search and rescue operation is underway.

"Although at this stage Police are unable to confirm figures, there are a number of fatalities," said a Police statement.

An earlier statement had said that six people had been rescued, but the most recent statement only said "a number of people have been rescued."

Three helicopters and an airplane were continuing to search as light faded.

A Police launch was also involved in the search.

The police, Coastguard, St John ambulance and surf life saving organizations were all involved in the rescue operation.

It has been reported the boat was a fishing charter that can carry a maximum of 20 people.

A long-term Kaipara resident told Xinhua by phone that those on the boat were more likely to be local people out fishing rather than tourists.

The Kaipara Harbour is said to be the largest natural harbor in the southern hemisphere, but shipping long ago abandoned it as a port because the harbor entrance was notoriously dangerous and claimed many wrecks.

The entrance, known as the Kaipara Bar, is very narrow and its shifting sands make it unpredictable.

"We've had strong northwesterly winds here today, so it would have been wild out on the harbor," the resident told Xinhua. Endit