Six individuals, including two teenagers, are currently unaccounted for following a devastating landslide that has obliterated a section of a renowned campground in New Zealand. The tragic incident occurred at Mount Maunganui, a popular tourist destination approximately 240 kilometres south-east of Auckland, after the region was battered by severe heavy rainfall.
Emergency Response and Search Operations
Rescue teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene on Thursday morning (January 22) after the landslip was reported. A massive search operation has been initiated to locate the missing persons, who are believed to be trapped within the debris. Emergency services have been meticulously combing through the wreckage throughout the day, facing challenging conditions caused by the catastrophic weather event.
Details of Those Missing
New Zealand police have officially confirmed that six people remain missing. Among them are two teenagers, with the youngest reported to be just 15 years old. Authorities have also indicated that three additional individuals, believed to be tourists, are unaccounted for. A police spokesperson stated, "We have been unable to establish the whereabouts of three further individuals. While we do not currently believe they were involved in the slip, further enquiries are required to rule it out. Those three parties are believed to be tourists, and we believe it is likely they left the area."
Community Support and Wider Impact
The police have emphasised their commitment to supporting the families of those affected by this tragedy. In a statement, they said, "We are wrapping support around the families of those whose loved ones are unaccounted for. We would also like to acknowledge the wider community, who have similarly shown such an outpouring of support and empathy for those affected." The disaster has impacted thousands of people across the region, with police and other agencies working collaboratively to provide assistance and support to the affected communities.
Eyewitness Accounts and Environmental Conditions
Local media reports have described harrowing scenes, with cries allegedly heard from beneath the rubble as the landslide engulfed tents, campervans, and a shower facility. Alister Hardy, a local fisherman, recounted the terrifying moments, saying he heard "rolling thunder and cracking of trees" before witnessing "the whole hillside gave way." He added, "There were people running and screaming and I saw people get bowled. There are people trapped."
The region experienced record-breaking rainfall, with an astonishing two-and-a-half months' worth of precipitation falling within a mere 12-hour period. This extreme weather event is believed to have directly contributed to the landslide, causing catastrophic damage to the iconic campground and putting lives at risk.
