Police have recovered two bodies in a search for Chinese backpackers who went missing in floodwater in the Gympie region in Queensland.
The 26-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were driving from Brisbane to the North Burnett region on Tuesday.
They were reported missing when their silver Subaru Forester disappeared and the pair failed to reach their destination.
Police, the SES and helicopters scoured an area from Kilkivan to Mundubbera on Wednesday.
The pair’s vehicle was discovered in floodwater on Kilkivan Tansey Road, near McArthur Road, on Wednesday afternoon.
The backpackers’ car was caught in floodwaters before being discovered on Wednesday afternoon. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross)
Police confirmed on Thursday that two bodies, believed to be the Chinese nationals, were found inside the car.
Police divers, the Forensic Crash Unit and forensic officers will attend the scene on Thursday morning to confirm the identities of the bodies.
Mayor calls for education
Gympie mayor Glen Hartwig said news of two deaths was an “absolute tragedy”.
“These people have come to Australia to see our beautiful country … and tragically they’ve ended up losing their lives,” he said.
Glen Hartwig says people should take extreme care on the roads. (ABC Sunshine Coast)
“We’re very grateful that they chose to come and see our country and we’re so sorry for their loss and the pain that [family members] are now feeling.
Cr Hartwig said more needed to be done to educate tourists about Australia’s unique threats.
“We warn people about biosecurity when they come into the country, but I also think we need to warn them about the dangers of floodwaters,” he said.
“Giving tourists an understanding that if it’s flooded, forget it — do not drive into any water that’s over the road.
“Getting that message to tourists … is an essential thing the federal government should start to look at.
“It’s just not possible to have enough people around to actually, you know, make sure that every creek crossing that is inundated with water has a sign in front of it.”
Floodwaters recede in Bundaberg
Major flood warnings remain in place across Queensland.
The huge deluge in the Wide Bay region has cut roads and isolated communities, with flooding estimated to have affected hundreds of homes in Bundaberg.
Major flood warnings remain in place across Queensland. (Supplied: Cassandra Kirk)
The Burnett River peaked above the major flood level at 7.4 metres on Wednesday.
It has now receded to five metres, below the minor flood level, but the full extent of the flooding will likely not be known for days.
The Queensland town of Chinchilla in the Western Downs, is also bracing for major flooding.