Bangla Press Desk: Rescue workers in New Zealand continued searching on Thursday for several missing people, including children, after a landslide struck a popular campsite in Mount Maunganui amid heavy rainfall that caused widespread damage across the North Island.
The landslide occurred at around 9:30 a.m. local time, sending debris crashing through the campsite and damaging vehicles and buildings, including an ablutions block where people were believed to be showering at the time. Mount Maunganui is a well-known tourist destination on the country’s northern coast.
Witness Nix Jaques told Radio New Zealand she heard a loud roar moments before seeing land collapse onto structures below. Vehicles were shifted by the force of the slide, including a campervan occupied by a family.
Hundreds of campers were evacuated as emergency services searched the area for anyone still missing. Police District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said the number of missing was in the “single figures” and that there was still hope survivors could be found.
Fire and Emergency Commander William Park said initial responders detected signs of life in the rubble, including voices heard by members of the public and emergency crews. However, rescuers were forced to withdraw due to the risk of further ground movement.
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed that children were among those missing and said helicopters had been deployed to assist with search and rescue operations.
Elsewhere in the Bay of Plenty region, another landslide struck a house in Papamoa, leaving two people missing. In a separate incident north of Auckland, one person was reported missing after their vehicle was washed away by floodwaters.
Heavy rain prompted evacuations, road closures, and power outages across much of the eastern North Island. The New Zealand Transport Authority reported closures in Northland, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato, with some communities temporarily cut off.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was closely monitoring the situation nationwide. Weather warnings for the North Island have since been lifted as the tropical low moves east, according to MetService, though some warnings remain in place for parts of the South Island.
BP/TI
