Authorities in New Zealand announced on Saturday that they are in the process of identifying the victims of a landslide that struck a popular campground on the North Island. Human remains were discovered following the incident.
A total of six individuals, including two teenagers, are believed to have perished in the landslide that occurred at Mount Maunganui due to heavy rains. The campground in the city of Tauranga was bustling with families enjoying summer holidays when the disaster struck.
Search and rescue operations have been halted, and a recovery mission is now in progress, with authorities stating that the chances of finding any survivors are slim. Since first responders heard voices on Thursday, no signs of life have been detected in the rubble.
The Chief Coroner, Anna Tutton, confirmed that efforts are underway to identify the victims. Tutton emphasized the meticulous nature of the identification process without specifying a timeline.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the news as heartbreaking and offered support to the families who lost their loved ones. Luxon visited the site and met with the families of the victims.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported that thirty-five personnel, supported by heavy equipment, were working to clear debris on Saturday following a partial slip in the search area the previous evening. The inclement weather forecast posed additional challenges, with the potential for the crew to retreat from the site for safety reasons.
In a separate incident this week, heavy rains triggered another landslide in the nearby suburb of Papamoa, resulting in two fatalities.
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