Some ferries delayed as police dive squad search for missing student

Police divers are searching in Auckland's inner Waitemata Harbour, behind the ferry building this afternoon. Photo / Nick Reed

Commuters heading home tonight may find their ferries have been delayed as a police dive squad search the Auckland Harbour for a missing 20-year-old student.

Mandeep Singh, a culinary arts student from India, went clubbing with three flatmates in the early hours of Sunday morning before they lost contact with him in the Bungalow 8 nightclub at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour about 3am.

Police confirm he was sighted two more times around the Viaduct and Quay Street areas and say they've been searching near the ferry terminal in downtown Auckland.

Mandeep Singh was last seen by his flatmate at the Bungalow8 nightclub in Viaduct Harbour. Photo / Supplied

Some Fullers Ferries have been delayed and Fullers say customers signed up to its alert service will get an update on delays.

Pier 1 is now open after a search, says Fullers general manager of sales and marketing Izania Downie.

"But there has been a flow on affect with delays to some of the inner Waitemata Harbour services of a couple of minutes.

"But its changeable, because we have to cooperate with the police search."

Waiheke ferry from pier 1 is running on time, following completion of the police search.
Explore Waiheke ferry services use Pier 3, which is yet to be searched.

Auckland City Police said this afternoon an update would be provided after today's search was complete.

Police thanked the public and media for their assistance in the case, which has led police to follow up new lines of enquiry.

The news was taken hard by the 20-year-old's family.

Ramandeep Bajwa, whose wife Sweety is Mr Singh's cousin, said a group of family and friends were keeping vigil at his home, waiting to hear any news.

"There is only hope right now," Mr Bajwa said.

"[We're] not good, still waiting. We're hoping it turns out he was not there. That's what we are hoping."

• Anyone with information on Mandeep Singh's whereabouts, or who saw him in Viaduct area after 3am on Sunday, is asked to contact police on 09 302 6557.