The remains of a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, identified as Chinese backpackers, have been found inside a submerged vehicle in Queensland's flood-affected region. Police stated on Thursday that they believe the recovered bodies match those of the international tourists who disappeared while travelling from Brisbane to the North Burnett area. This discovery marks the region's first confirmed flood-related fatalities amid ongoing severe weather.
The couple, identified as Qiu and Xie, were en route from Brisbane to the North Burnett region inland from Bundaberg and failed to reach their intended destination, prompting a large-scale search effort. Their silver Subaru Forester was located in floodwaters on Kilkivan Tansey Road. The search spanned areas from Kilkivan to Mundubbera, west of Gympie, where recent inundation had impacted communities.
Search Efforts and Recovery
A significant search operation, involving police, the State Emergency Service (SES), and helicopters, was initiated following the report of the backpackers' disappearance on Tuesday. The vehicle was discovered by search crews on Thursday afternoon. Authorities have confirmed that the two bodies were found within the vehicle, which had been submerged in the floodwaters.
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Wider Flood Impact
Beyond the immediate tragedy, Queensland's floodwaters continue to cause widespread disruption. Thousands of residents in Bundaberg North remain isolated, with key bridges, including the Tallon and Burnett River Bridges, closed. Major flooding has affected hundreds of homes and businesses in Bundaberg, and authorities anticipate many communities will remain cut off for several days.
Background on the Victims
The backpackers, who had reportedly arrived in Australia seeking adventure and travel experiences, were from China's Shandong and Fujian provinces. Friends have indicated that communication with one of the individuals ceased abruptly. One individual had been in Australia since September, pursuing post-university travel dreams, while the other arrived late last year and had been sharing updates of their road trip. Their families have expressed profound grief following the news.