Four dead, one missing as NZ fishing boat sinks

A chartered fishing boat carrying 10 people has sunk in stormy weather off the New Zealand coast, officials said Monday. Police said four people were confirmed dead and one other was missing.

Five people were winched by a helicopter to safety and the search was continuing Monday. The 17-meter boat got into trouble and set off a distress signal on Sunday night off North Cape on the northern coast, triggering a major search and rescue operation.

The five rescued people were admitted to Kaitaia Hospital in stable condition and were later discharged. On board were the captain, a crew member and eight passengers from Auckland, New Zealand's most populous city, Stuff said.

The captain was among the survivors, the website said. No one else has been identified.