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Landslides leave 1,000 tourists stranded in New Zealand town of Franz Josef

The flooding on the South Island has cut off towns and trapping  foreign tourists. - SAM ANDERSON via REUTERS
The flooding on the South Island has cut off towns and trapping foreign tourists. - SAM ANDERSON via REUTERS

Nearly 1,000 tourists are stranded in the small New Zealand town of Franz Josef after stormy weekend weather triggered landslides and flooding along the town's main road.

While there were no reported injuries, authorities said that access to the town is unlikely to be restored until Friday.

The Rangitata river burst its banks at the weekend after heavy rain.

Some of the tourists were choosing to leave by helicopter or small plane while others were waiting until the highway reopened.

Westland Mayor Bruce Smith said many of the 970 tourists in Franz Josef were taking the news in their stride, but some were frustrated that their travel plans had been disrupted.

A  tourist reads a local newspaper with a headline about the storms hitting New Zealand's South Island - Credit: DAVID GRAY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
It could be several days until those stranded are able to leave the town Credit: DAVID GRAY/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Mr Smith said there were about 20 planes and helicopters flying in and out of the town to help people leave. He said some tourists wanted to stay with their vehicles while others were trying to get confirmation their travel insurance would cover the extra costs of flying out.

"They all have the option of taking fixed wing planes or helicopters," Smith said. "It's just a question of who writes the check. I understand that."

Mr Smith said there would have been many more people stuck if the slips had occurred a few weeks later. He said the summer tourist season peaks in February when the town gets about 6,000 tourists traveling through each day.

Peeni Henare, New Zealand’s minister of civil defence, visited the affected area on Sunday evening but was forced to drive from Christchurch after flights were cancelled because of the weather.

Dan Burt, a spokesman for aviation tourist operator Inflite, said it had flown about 60 tourists from the town on Monday on two planes and two helicopters it had diverted to the area. He said it was charging them its normal rate of of NZ$600 (about £299) for the trip.
Tourists typically visit the area to view the Franz Josef Glacier.

Stormy weather across New Zealand over the weekend caused disruptions and road closures in many parts of the country.