At least six people remain missing on Friday after landslides struck parts of New Zealand’s North Island, leaving two people dead and many buried under debris, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
The landslide at a popular campground at Mount Maunganui on the island’s east coast brought down soil and rubble, damaging property and threatening lives
A report by the BBC said police currently have six people unaccounted for and are seeking information about another three. Two teenagers are among the missing, with the youngest aged 15, police confirmed.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who visited the disaster site on Friday, said it was “inspiring” to see the support pouring throughout the community, with neighbours and “friends of friends of friends” helping to clear debris in flood-hit areas.
At nearby Welcome Bay, police recovered two bodies in a house on Thursday after it was hit by a landslide as well. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the country was “heavy with grief” following what he described as a “profound tragedy,” posting the message on X on Thursday.
An Australian tourist who witnessed the collapse described the moment it happened.
“I heard this huge tree crack and all this dirt come off, and then I looked behind me and there was this huge landslide coming down,” Sonny Worrall told a local broadcaster.
The landslides were caused by days of intense rainfall, which also led to flooding and widespread power outages across the North Island.
Footage from the Mount Maunganui campsite , located on an extinct volcanic cone , showed a massive collapse near the base of the dome. Crushed caravans and flattened tents could be seen as rescue workers and sniffer dogs searched through the debris.
Fears of further slips prompted the evacuation of a nearby surf club, while authorities warned residents and visitors to stay away from unstable areas.
Authorities said the search would continue, although it could take days due to dangerous conditions.
“This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe,” said Megan Stiffler, deputy national commander of the Urban Search and Rescue team, earlier.
On Friday, Reuters reported that fire and emergency services said extensive resources were being deployed at the site
“We have 25 personnel working with contractors and their diggers and police dogs, as well as police operations to ensure that every inch of soil removed is worked through,” said David Guard, a fire and emergency official.
Mount Maunganui, considered a sacred Māori site, is also one of New Zealand’s most popular camping destinations, often described by tourism websites as a “slice of paradise.” However, the area has suffered multiple landslides in recent years, raising long-standing safety concerns.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Bay of Plenty, where Mount Maunganui is located, as well as in other parts of the North Island, including Northland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti and Hauraki.
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