Indian citizen missing since a week; personal belongings found near a beach

Gurwinder Singh Dandian walked out of work early on Tuesday before his shift finished and was reported missing by friends shortly before 9 pm on Tuesday.

Source: NZ Police

An Indian citizen has been reported missing since a week in Masterton, New Zealand, approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Wellington.

Gurwinder Singh Dandian was reported missing on March 5th and was last seen near a beach 1.5 kilometres east of Cape Palliser Lighthouse, more than 100 km from Masterton around 4.30 – 5 pm on the same day.

New Zealand (NZ) Police along with volunteers have been searching the Cape Palliser area in an effort to locate him but have not yet found him.

Source: Google Maps

On Thursday, Police Dive Squad completed a water search and conducted a shoreline search where NZ Police found Mr Dandian’s personal belongings near the Wairarapa beach.

“Items belonging to Gurwinder, including his vehicle, have been located in the Cape Palliser area but he has still not been located,” NZ police said in a statement.

The Indian High Commission in New Zealand is in touch with Mr Dandian's family in India and have extended assistance to the local authorities. 

"High Commission has contacted the family back in India and has offered them all possible assistance in trying to trace him. Though the chances are getting slim by the day, we still hope for a positive outcome. We are in continuous touch with the local police authorities," Mr Paramjeet Singh, Second Secretary (Consular) in New Zealand told SBS Hindi. 

Police have urged people who may have seen him to contact them.

“We ask that anyone in the Cape Palliser area who may have seen Gurwinder contact Police. Information can be provided to Masterton Police on [phone].”

NZ Police found Mr Dandian’s personal belongings near the Wairarapa beach. Source: Pixabay

The 26-year-old Mr Dandian hails from Sangrur, Punjab and first arrived in New Zealand on a student visa four years ago.

He was working as an assistant manager at a pizza shop and walked out of work early on Tuesday before his shift finished. He was reported missing by friends shortly before 9 pm on Tuesday. 

If you are experiencing distress, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732

Follow SBS Hindi on Facebook and Twitter