Mount Maunganui Landslide Tragedy Claims Lives and Leaves Six Missing
A catastrophic landslide has struck a popular campsite at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand, resulting in two confirmed fatalities and leaving six individuals unaccounted for. The disaster unfolded on Thursday morning, triggered by heavy rainfall that saturated the region's east coast.
Witness Describes 'Almighty Cracking' and Scene of Mayhem
Local resident Alister McHardy, who witnessed the event, described hearing an "almighty cracking" before the mountainside gave way. "It was almost like the air pressure changed. It was a real powerful event," McHardy recounted. "It just came down, a lot of cracking and people screaming and car alarms going off … The sounds of mayhem."
McHardy had been heading out to fish at sunrise when he noticed a "mountain of soil" at the north end of the beach. With experience from eight years as an underground miner, he immediately recognised the danger and alerted emergency services, warning that further slips were likely.
Rescue Operations Continue Amid Unstable Conditions
Rescue teams are working tirelessly at the disaster site, where voices were heard calling for help from beneath the rubble immediately after the landslide. However, no further sounds have been detected since, according to witnesses and emergency officials.
Fire and Emergency assistant national commander David Guard emphasised the challenging environment, stating: "We are operating in a complex and high-risk environment. We will continue the operation until the search is complete." Progress remains slow as teams methodically clear layers of debris.
New Zealand police commissioner Richard Chambers warned that the scale of the disaster and ongoing risks could delay rescue efforts for days. "We appreciate that everybody is anxious and waiting for their loved ones, and for some answers but we also have to be very careful," Chambers told the New Zealand Herald.
National Grief and Political Response
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed the nation's sorrow, stating: "New Zealand is full of grief today … and grieves with them." Luxon, who visited areas affected by recent flooding on Friday, described this as a "highly anxious time" for the families of missing campers.
Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale conveyed the emotional toll on families, telling Radio New Zealand: "That's really hard, and we're here with the families and as you can imagine, just that uncertainty of where they are and when we might have a result is pretty hard."
International Dimension and Wider Weather Impact
The tragedy has international implications, with Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong confirming that one of the deceased was a Chinese citizen.
This disaster forms part of a broader pattern of severe weather affecting New Zealand's North Island. Heavy rains have caused widespread damage, including another landslide in the neighbouring town of Papamoa that killed two people on Thursday, and an incident north of Auckland where a man was washed away with his vehicle on Wednesday.
The civil defence organisation in Tairawhiti District has issued warnings against walking over landslides to collect supplies from welfare hubs, citing fears of further collapses.
Tourist Destination Transformed by Tragedy
Mount Maunganui region, typically a summer tourist magnet for hikers and beach enthusiasts, has been profoundly affected. McHardy, who considers the area his sanctuary, reflected: "Just being in the environment, all these little amazing creatures. It's just a beautiful spot. We take it for granted how awesome the spot is."
The campsite, situated between ocean and harbour, now stands as a scene of devastation where rescue operations continue under difficult and dangerous conditions.
