Rescue teams are carefully searching through debris at a campsite in New Zealand following a landslide caused by heavy rains. The incident, which occurred in the tourist area of Mount Maunganui, resulted in power outages and significant destruction, prompting evacuations and road closures along the North Island’s eastern coast.
Efforts to locate the missing individuals, including children, are ongoing, with emergency services utilizing earthmoving equipment to clear the rubble. The operation is described as complex and high-risk, with authorities working tirelessly through the night to find any survivors.
Authorities have confirmed that the number of missing persons is in single digits, expressing hope that some may still be found alive. Helicopters and search dogs have been deployed in the search, while power has been restored to some of the affected areas. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported so far.
A witness, Canadian Dion Siluch, recounted the intense shaking and chaos during the landslide, which caused a caravan to end up in a hot pool. Despite initial signs of life detected in the rubble, rescuers have faced challenges due to fears of further ground movement.
In addition to the incident at Mount Maunganui, two individuals are missing following a separate landslide in Papamoa, and another person is unaccounted for after their vehicle was swept away near Auckland. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon assured that the government is providing support to those impacted, as transportation disruptions and road damage affect several communities in the region.
As weather warnings are lifted in the North Island, the focus remains on the ongoing search and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the natural disaster.