Queensland floods: Two bodies found in search for backpackers from Kilkivan to Mundubbera

Two people, believed to be missing international tourists, have been found dead inside a vehicle in Queensland’s flood-affected North Burnett region.

Queensland police located a silver Subaru Forester at Kilkivan Tansey Road near McArthur Road at Kilkivan on Wednesday.

“Following an initial examination of the scene, police located two deceased people inside the vehicle,” a police spokesperson said.

Authorities believe the bodies are those of the missing tourists, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, who were travelling from Brisbane to the flood-hit North Burnett region but failed to reach their destination.

Police divers, the forensic crash unit and specialist forensic officers are expected to attend the scene on Thursday as investigations continue.

Officers said further enquiries were underway to formally confirm the identities of the deceased.

A further update is expected once those examinations are completed.

The discovery comes after a major search was launched in the Kilkivan to Mundubbera area, where floodwaters had recently inundated communities.

Emergency crews, including SES volunteers and helicopters, had been scouring the region since Wednesday morning before the vehicle was located.

7 News drone footage showed the 4WD vehicle partially underwater.

SEE THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE.

The tragedy unfolded as multiple communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory continued to grapple with widespread flooding.

Further southwest, an emergency declaration was issued in the Western Downs town of Chinchilla after floodwaters inundated parts of the community.

An exclusion zone was established late Wednesday as authorities organised an evacuation centre at the Chinchilla showgrounds, with at least 10 businesses reported under water.

Meanwhile, Bundaberg residents are still recovering after the Burnett River peaked at 7.4m during the latest flood event, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate and cutting power to about 2500 homes.

The Northern Territory has also been hit hard by flooding, with remote communities inundated and hundreds of residents airlifted to safety.

- With AAP