Multiple individuals, including a young girl, are missing following a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall that devastated a campground in New Zealand. The Mount Maunganui campground witnessed tents being flattened and a campervan being pushed into a hot pool due to unprecedented rainfall washing away sections of the site.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency services scour through debris in hopes of locating survivors. Additionally, two bodies have been discovered in a separate landslide at Welcome Bay in Papamoa, as confirmed by Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell.
The recent landslides are a consequence of the severe rainfall that has been lashing New Zealand. As efforts continue to locate missing individuals, the evacuation area at the surf club has been cleared due to safety concerns of potential further land movements.
Sending prayers and support, Tauranga Moana iwi Ngāi Te Rangi expressed their heartfelt condolences to those affected by the Mount Maunganui tragedy. Deputy chief executive Roimata Ah Sam emphasized the significance of the sacred taonga “Koro Mauao” (Grandfather Mauao) in the community, underscoring the devastation caused by the event.
The Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club, initially serving as an evacuation point, has been evacuated itself amid fears of additional landslides. The region has also been grappling with power outages, with reports indicating thousands of residents without electricity.
In an extraordinary display of community spirit, a man, Mark Tangney, recounted his experience rushing to aid those trapped during the landslide. Minister Mark Mitchell described the damage in the East Coast as resembling a warzone, highlighting the widespread impact of the natural disaster.
Meteorological records revealed that the area received an exceptional amount of rainfall, setting a record for the wettest day in Tauranga since 1910. The situation remains dynamic as search efforts intensify to locate the missing individuals. Sniffer dogs and excavators have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.
Mount Maunganui, a volcanic dome with cultural significance, attracts tourists for its scenic beauty and hiking trails. As the search for missing persons continues, the community remains united in the face of this tragic event.