Three Vietnamese crewmen who fled a fishing vessel at Bluff Harbour in Southland have been found, police have confirmed.
Detective Sergeant Dave Kennelly said the men were located just after 5am today on the southern outskirts of Invercargill in good health.
They were now in custody under the Immigration Act and the matter has been handed to Immigration New Zealand.
The Korean vessel Southern Ocean docked on Monday with the body of a Chinese national.
Police understood the Chinese man died and a second crewman was moderately injured while working on the boat on November 20, Det Sgt Kennelly said.
It is thought the two men and three others, who were unharmed, were swept overboard while trying to clear ice off the boat's funnel.
Police were investigating the death on behalf of the coroner and it was not a criminal investigation.
The incident occurred in international waters but as New Zealand was the closest country there was an obligation to investigate it, he said.
A Maritime New Zealand spokesman said it would be supporting the police investigation and provide extra staff if needed.
MNZ would also investigating whether New Zealand had any jurisdiction regarding the incident.
Police today thanked members of the public for supplying them with information.
