Despite extensive search efforts, one of the two fishermen who went missing at The Gap near Taiharuru before midnight on 1 May remains missing; a New Zealand police spokesperson told The Indian Weekender. The man believed to be missing is 34-year-old Ferzil Babu.
His friend and fishing partner, 37-year-old Sarath Kumar Sasidharan Nair, was found deceased by the Police National Dive Squad on 3 May.
"His death has been referred to the Coroner."
The duo was fishing at Taiharuru, Whangārei Heads, at a spot known as The Gap. Emergency services were alerted around midnight after the pair failed to return home by 11 p.m. as expected.
"Despite extensive search efforts, the man has not yet been located," spokesperson noted.
Kumar, a registered nurse in the Whangārei Emergency Department, had only been living in Whangārei for two months after migrating to New Zealand in late 2023. He leaves behind a wife and a 5-year-old daughter.
Babu moved to New Zealand after marrying his wife in January 2023. The couple welcomed a son six months ago.
The families of the deceased Indian are grateful for the support and efforts of the police and search and rescue teams. A police liaison officer has constantly touched the association and the families.
"Our thoughts remain with both men’s families as they continue to deal with the loss following this tragic incident," the police said.
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