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Waikato Police close Waihi Beach as containers come ashore

Monday 9 January 2012, 12:59PM

By New Zealand Police

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WAIHI

As shipping containers wash up on the shore Eastern Waikato Police, working in conjunction with Maritime New Zealand, have closed off public access to Waihi Beach this morning.

Sergeant Dave Litton of Waihi Police said the lead organisation in the multi-agency response to recovering containers from the M.V. Rena remained Maritime New Zealand who had been advised of the beach closure and were managing the response.

"This morning we have had four containers washed ashore and have several more a short distance off the coast that are likely to also come in as the day progresses.

"For that reason and because we don't know the contents of the containers, we are urging members of the public to stay away from the beach."

Mr Litton said Police had already received calls about the occupants of a vehicle taking bags of what appeared to be milk powder before driving off.

"The expert advice we have received is for people not to approach items washed ashore for health reasons and we appeal to those people who have taken objects to return them to the beach where they can be managed by decontamination crews."

Media enquiries should be directed to the Maritime New Zealand management team in Tauranga on ALL media enquiries: 0800 774 554 (0800 SPILL INFO)
spill.media@mnz.govt.nz

International media call: +64 4 499 7318