A devastating landslide has struck a popular holiday park in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region, leaving several people, including children, missing under tons of debris. The incident unfolded Thursday at the Beachside Holiday Park beneath Mount Maunganui, where heavy rains triggered the ground to give way.
Emergency teams are working tirelessly amid the chaos, but hopes are fading as initial cries for help from beneath the rubble have gone silent. Commander William Paike of the New Zealand Fire and Emergency Services reported hearing voices early on, yet no survivors have been confirmed.
The slide hit around 9:30 AM local time, engulfing camper vans, cars, tents, hot pools, and shower facilities in a torrent of mud and rock. Panic ensued as holidaymakers fled to safety, with authorities evacuating the area swiftly.
This tragedy comes on the heels of record-breaking rainfall in Tauranga, where 270mm poured down in just 24 hours. North Island has been battered by relentless downpours, causing widespread flooding, power outages for thousands, and isolated communities along the eastern coast and Northland.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged residents to heed local warnings, stating on social media that the government is providing all possible aid amid the perilous weather. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell called it a profound tragedy, with search operations ongoing.
Local Mayor Mahé Drysdale described the event as heartbreaking, prioritizing resident safety above all. The region has already endured severe storms this week, with 12 hours of rain equaling two-and-a-half months’ worth—a grim record underscoring climate vulnerabilities.
As night falls, rescuers persist, but the scale of destruction raises fears for those still unaccounted for. This incident serves as a stark reminder of nature’s fury in an era of intensifying weather events.