In a critical development amid the ongoing flood crisis in Queensland, a vehicle has been discovered during the search for two Chinese tourists who vanished as massive floods swept through central and southwest regions of the state. The missing individuals, identified as a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were travelling from Brisbane to North Burnett and were last heard from on Sunday night.
Search Efforts and Vehicle Discovery
Queensland Police confirmed on Wednesday that a Silver Subaru Forrester, believed to belong to the missing tourists, was found near Kilkivan. This location is where their final phone signal was detected and has been severely impacted by heavy flooding. The pair were only reported missing on Wednesday after they failed to arrive at their intended destination.
Police have issued an urgent appeal for information, stating, 'Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two missing tourists are urged to contact police. The search is ongoing.' The operation has been assisted by the State Emergency Service (SES) and a police helicopter, highlighting the extensive resources deployed in challenging conditions.
Widespread Flooding and Emergency Measures
The vehicle discovery comes as Queensland grapples with a severe flood crisis affecting large areas. In Chinchilla, police issued a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) declaration due to the danger posed by rising floodwaters. A shelter was opened at the Chinchilla Showgrounds, with officers conducting door-to-door visits to encourage at-risk residents to evacuate.
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn warned that recovery from the flood damage 'could take months,' estimating that a few hundred homes and properties have been impacted. She noted that aerial surveillance by Polair would be crucial for assessing the full extent of the damage, particularly in isolated properties along riverbanks.
Community Impact and Response
The floods have caused significant disruption across Queensland. Approximately 2,000 homes around Bundaberg were without power on Wednesday, nearly 800 roads were closed or damaged by Tuesday, an estimated 1,000 livestock were lost, and nine schools were shut. Mayor Blackburn advised that the town's main bridges would begin to reopen on Thursday and Friday, but residents were cautioned that it is still not safe to return to flooded areas, despite the Emergency Alert for Bundaberg being downgraded to Watch and Act on Wednesday night.
Premier David Crisafulli urged communities to prepare for the worst, acknowledging the resilience of Queenslanders while emphasising the need for support. 'The impacts on homes and businesses won't be to the same number as we've seen before, but the impacts and the magnitude will hit home and hit hard very, very difficultly for a number of people,' he said. He directed residents in flood zones to monitor disaster.qld.gov.au for the latest information.
Regional Updates and Predictions
Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith, overseeing Chinchilla, reported that the region experienced 260mm of rain in 48 hours. He noted that flood predictions are at least half a metre lower than during the 2010/2011 floods, but cautioned that 'a prediction is just a prediction.' Meanwhile, Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said council is on alert for potential flooding as upper catchments move downstream, with monitoring to continue over the next week.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities coordinating efforts to ensure public safety and assess the long-term recovery needs. The search for the missing tourists underscores the human toll of the disaster, as communities band together to face the challenges posed by nature's fury.
