Mount Maunganui, New Zealand – A devastating landslide at a popular holiday park is feared to have claimed multiple lives, including children, following record-breaking rainfall that inundated the region. Around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the hillside collapsed above the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, burying campervans and a facility used for showers and restrooms. As search efforts progress, officials have confirmed that several individuals are still unaccounted for, although specific numbers have not been released.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell described the incident as a profound tragedy, highlighting that family members of some victims are currently at the campground, anxiously awaiting news. The landslide occurred after Tauranga experienced an unprecedented 270 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours, marking the heaviest rainfall recorded in a single day for the area.
Witnesses near the site reported hearing what sounded like rolling thunder, followed by the snapping of trees as the hillside gave way. Fisherman Alister Hardy recounted the chaos, stating, “There were people running and screaming… I saw people get bowled. There are people trapped.” Initial responders reported hearing voices calling for help from within the debris, prompting immediate rescue efforts.
Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman William Pike detailed how the first teams on the scene were overwhelmed by the circumstances yet managed to hear calls for assistance from those caught in the landslide. Despite their efforts, search and rescue crews were forced to withdraw due to the precarious conditions of the site.
The extreme weather is part of a larger pattern of hazardous conditions affecting the North Island, with the government focusing efforts on supporting the impacted communities. Officials held multiple briefings over the past day to assess the situation and coordinate responses.
Beyond Mount Maunganui, extensive flooding has wreaked havoc across the North Island. In Oakura, residents have described the flooding as the worst they have seen in decades. Meteorologists issued a rare red weather warning, signifying a severe threat to life in multiple areas, including Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula.
In the wake of the storm, rescue operations continue as residents in Tairawhiti have been stranded on their rooftops, requiring assistance from emergency crews. Reports indicate that thousands in various regions are without power as heavy rains persist, causing further complications and logistical challenges for responders.
Concerns are also rising over individuals missing in swollen rivers. A man in his 40s was swept away while driving in the Mahurangi River, although one passenger managed to escape. In a nearby community, a couple was rescued from their home after a landslide struck, resulting in one serious injury.
As the situation unfolds, this week’s extreme weather marks the first time a red warning has been issued in the same area since Cyclone Gabrielle early last year, which resulted in substantial loss of life and widespread damage. Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.