Landslide causes devastation in New Zealand, several holidaymakers reported missing

Auckland (The Uttam Hindu): A major landslide has caused widespread devastation in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region. The incident occurred on Thursday at a holiday park located below Mount Maunganui, where several people, including children, have been reported missing. The landslide was triggered after heavy rainfall, causing large amounts of soil and debris to slide down onto a campsite crowded with vacationers.

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell described the incident as a tragedy and said that rescue and search operations are ongoing at the Beachside Holiday Park. New Zealand Fire and Emergency commander William Pike said rescue teams initially heard sounds from beneath the debris, but no further noises were detected later. So far, there has been no confirmation of survivors.

The landslide occurred around 9:30 am local time. Mud and debris swept over camper vans, cars, tents, hot pools, and a shower block, creating panic in the area. People were immediately evacuated to safer locations, while emergency services continued operations to ensure that no one remained trapped.

The incident followed record-breaking rainfall in the Tauranga area. According to official data, 270 millimetres of rain fell in the region within 24 hours up to 9 am. Heavy rain and flooding affected several parts of the North Island overnight. Thousands of residents were left without electricity, and some communities along the eastern coast and in Northland were cut off due to flooding.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged residents in affected areas to strictly follow safety advisories issued by local authorities. In a social media post, he said that dangerous weather conditions continued to impact the North Island and assured that the government was providing all possible assistance. The Mount Maunganui region has witnessed severe storms and flooding this week, with rainfall equivalent to nearly two and a half months recorded in just 12 hours. Local Mayor Mahé Drysdale called the incident deeply distressing and said the immediate priority was ensuring public safety and welfare.