Search-and-rescue teams have been working through the night after landslides struck a house and a busy campground in New Zealand, leaving two people dead and at least six others missing, including two teenagers. The prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said the nation was “full of grief” following the tragedy, which occurred in the Mount Maunganui area on Thursday morning.
The first landslide hit a house in Welcome Bay at 4.50am, trapping two occupants whose bodies were recovered hours later. A subsequent landslide struck the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui, crushing recreational vehicles and an amenities block where campers were present. Families enjoying the summer school holidays were among those affected.
During a visit to the region on Friday, Luxon met with grieving families and described the event as “absolutely tragic”. The Chinese ambassador confirmed that one of the deceased was a Chinese citizen, thanking New Zealand authorities for their prompt assistance. Local mayor Mahé Drysdale said the uncertainty for families was “pretty hard”, with search efforts continuing but no further survivors found.
Questions have been raised about why the campsite was not evacuated after an earlier report of a small slip. Drysdale noted that some campers had moved away after that slip. Police are checking if some may have left without informing authorities. The area remains unstable, and the environment is challenging for rescue teams, who are using dogs to search for victims.
The landslides followed heavy rain that soaked much of the North Island’s east coast, causing widespread damage and road closures. Civil Defence warned that landslides can occur without warning, urging people to evacuate if in danger. Further north, a man remains missing after being swept from a road by floodwaters. Luxon advised residents to heed local safety advice as extreme weather continues to pose dangers.
