Desperate Search Continues for Missing Tourists After New Zealand Landslide Horror
The desperate search for up to nine missing tourists, including at least one young girl, will continue through the night after a horror landslide struck a popular holiday park on New Zealand's North Island. The tragedy unfolded following days of record-breaking rainfall that has transformed parts of the east coast into what emergency management minister Mark Mitchell described as 'a war zone'.
Double Tragedy Strikes Bay of Plenty Region
The devastating weather events began early on Thursday when a landslide wiped out a home in Welcome Bay, Bay of Plenty region, claiming two lives at approximately 4.50am NZDT. The tragedy escalated just hours later at 9.30am when another massive landslide hit the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, burying campervans and a shower block under debris.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson confirmed the number of missing people was in 'single figures', indicating up to nine individuals could be trapped. Emergency responders have evacuated the holiday park and urged the public to avoid the area while the complex rescue operation continues.
No Signs of Life at Devastated Campsite
Searchers on the ground have reported no signs of life at the devastated campsite, creating an increasingly urgent and somber atmosphere. Fire and Emergency NZ commander William Park emphasized their commitment, stating: 'We're going right through until we've rescued everyone. It was a significant landslip and the priority was life safety. It's a complex and high-risk environment.'
Multiple emergency agencies including Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Hato Hone St John, and local security personnel are working around the clock in hazardous conditions. At least three diggers are currently operating at the scene as rescuers navigate the unstable terrain.
Eyewitness Accounts of Terror and Chaos
Australian tourist Sonny Worrall from Newcastle, NSW, was among dozens of holidaymakers caught in the chaos. He described the terrifying moment the landslide struck while he was swimming in nearby hot pools: 'I looked behind me, and there was a huge landslide coming down. I turned around, and I had to jump out from my seat as fast as I could and just run. Looking behind me, there was a caravan coming right behind me. It all happened in a flash. I was fearing for my life. People were panicking everywhere.'
First responder Mark Tangney recounted hearing desperate screams from trapped victims upon arriving at the scene: 'There were six or eight other guys there on the roof of the toilet block with tools just trying to take the roof off because we could hear people screaming 'help us, help us, get us out of here'. We went hard for about half an hour, and after 15 minutes, the people that were trapped, we couldn't hear them anymore.'
Widespread Weather Emergency Across North Island
The landslides occurred amid unprecedented rainfall that has triggered multiple emergencies across New Zealand's North Island. Tauranga, the closest city to Mount Maunganui, received a staggering 295mm of rain in just 30 hours leading up to 6am Thursday.
Meteorologists MetService issued a rare red weather warning for a 'threat to life' in several regions, with a state of local emergency declared in five areas. The torrential conditions have caused widespread devastation beyond the landslides:
- In Warkworth near Auckland, a 47-year-old man was swept away in his car by the swollen Mahurangi River after heroically pushing his nephew to safety
- Thousands of residents in Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Tairawhiti regions have been left without power
- Helicopters have been deployed to rescue families stranded on rooftops from flooding in the Tairawhiti region
- Roadblocks have been erected around affected areas to keep the public away from danger zones
Government Response and Community Support
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised his government will do everything possible to support those affected by what he called a 'profound tragedy'. In an online statement, he expressed: 'To the emergency responders, Defence Force personnel, and all those who are putting themselves in harm's way to keep Kiwis safe, the whole country is grateful. We continue to urge people in affected areas to follow the advice of local authorities.'
Luxon added that the nation is 'heavy with grief' after the weather events of the past 48 hours claimed lives and devastated livelihoods. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale emphasized the challenging conditions facing rescuers, noting: 'They're having to be careful because we don't want to have any other issues during the night. They're going to be working 24/7 until they have searched every piece of earth.'
As the search continues through the night, loved ones of the missing tourists are waiting for updates in a gazebo near the scene, holding onto hope amid the unfolding tragedy that has gripped New Zealand and the international community.
