Items belonging to missing Korean fisherman Myung Kang have washed up on an Auckland beach.
Personal items, including clothing and a fishing bag, washed up on the shore of O'Neills Bay on Wednesday, according to Det Snr Sgt Callum McNeill.
"We have also had several people contact us reporting sightings of Mr Kang over the weekend, and based on this evidence, the indications are that he has gone into the water," he says.
- Large-scale search for missing Korean fisherman enters third day
- Family 'devastated' as teen lost at sea off Whatipu beach remains missing
- Bethells Beach search continues for missing Korean fisherman Myung Kang
"Sadly, we believe this is now a recovery option."
A search and rescue team including lifeguards and a police Eagle helicopter were out searching for the 57-year-old on Tuesday and the operation continued on Wednesday.
His family became concerned he hadn't come home from his fishing trip at west Auckland's Bethells Beach on Saturday and reported him missing to police late on Sunday night.
Police found the fisherman's vehicle, a white 2011 Toyota Prius, in a carpark at the beach.
The land search for Mr Kang has now been scaled back, but aerial searches over the coastal area with the police helicopter will continue over the next few days.
"We want to thank everyone who has come forward with information and sightings of Mr Kang," Det Snr Sgt McNeill says.
"As the public can appreciate this is a very hard time for his family and we are doing all we can to help them and find him."
Newshub.
