Romanian biologist goes missing in New Zealand; search is suspended

Romanian biologist Mihai Muncus-Nagy, 33, went missing in New Zealand’s Raoul Island on Monday (January 2) morning, while he was doing his routine monitoring on the island. It seems that the volunteer for the Romanian Department of Conservation (DOC) has been washed off the rock by a wave. Authorities decided earlier today (January 4) to call off the search. “Given the length of time that has now passed without finding Mihai, it's unfortunately now gone beyond the point where he could reasonably still be expected to be alive. Therefore, in discussions with the Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the difficult decision has been made to formally suspend the search,'' said Tim Brandenburg, DOC Warkworth Great Barrier Island area manager . He added that support is being given to Muncus-Nagy's family back in Romania, and that plans are being considered to bring his wife to New Zealand and enable her to visit the Raoul island. “DOC and the Department of Labour will be carrying out a full investigation into the incident to piece together what may have happened in this tragic incident,” reads a DOC statement. Mihai Muncus-Nagy was one of the four volunteers helping three DOC’s members who monitor seismic and volcanic activity and conduct conservation work to protect the more than 100 plants native to the Kermadecs. He joined the team on the island at the end of October. Read the entire DOC statement here. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com