Missing climbers feared dead in NZ

New Zealand search teams looking for three missing climbers say they're now most probably hunting for bodies.

The two German nationals and an Australian were last seen on Monday on Mount Cook.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) POLICE SENIOR CONSTABLE BRENT SWANSON SAYING:

"We've informed the families that the situation is not good and now grim. We now believe that we're searching for bodies."

It's feared the 53-year-old Australian and German father-and-son duo may have fallen down a crevasse on their way up the mountain.

Local media reports say more aerial searches are planned over the coming days to find their remains.