Invercargill police are seeking help from the public after multiple flares were let off in Te Anau last night.
Just before 10pm, police received reports of three red parachute flares being sighted between the Te Anau township and Dome Island.
"Search and rescue were advised, and Southern Lakes Helicopters assisted a night search, where night vision and thermal equipment was utilised," a police spokesperson said.
"Inquiries with people camping in the area did not lead to the source of the flares, and no distress calls were received by maritime radio."
Sergeant Alun Griffiths of Invercargill police search and rescue is appealing for further information or sightings that could aid in finding the source of the flares.
"It is possible that someone had let off flares and was not in distress," he said.
"If that is the case, we encourage them to come forward to negate the need for further investigation and search efforts."
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police on 105.
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