A significant landslide at a renowned campground in New Zealand has left numerous individuals, including children, missing. Following heavy rainfall in Mount Maunganui, emergency services are conducting a frantic search for those who remain unaccounted for among the debris.
Reports suggest that children are among those missing after the campground was struck by the landslide, prompting its closure. Rescue efforts are ongoing at the site to locate the missing individuals.
The tragic incident took place in the popular tourist destination, approximately 240 kilometers southeast of Auckland, on Thursday morning. Witnesses heard screams as the landslide struck tents, campervans, and a shower block at the beachside holiday resort.
The Tauranga City Council confirmed that most occupants of the Mount Holiday Park have been safely evacuated. A council spokesperson stated that the situation at Mount Maunganui is constantly evolving, with several individuals still unaccounted for, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families.
Rescuers were temporarily withdrawn from the scene due to the risk of a secondary landslide, as per information from the local Herald. While voices were heard during the initial collapse, no further sounds have been detected since.
Minister Mark Mitchell mentioned that young people are among the missing, leaving distressed parents anxiously awaiting updates at the nearby surf club. As of now, no survivors have been found, with emergency services confirming a young girl is among the missing.
A nearby fisherman, Alister Hardy, recounted hearing intense noise before witnessing the hillside give way, with people caught in the chaos. The region experienced a record-breaking amount of rainfall within a short period, equivalent to over two months’ worth of rain in just 12 hours.