Ask Onix
Search continues for missing campers after Mount Maunganui landslide
Rescue teams are combing through debris at a popular campsite in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, after a landslide left six people unaccounted for, including two teenagers. Authorities are also seeking information about three additional individuals who may have been at the site.
Casualties and missing persons
The youngest missing person is 15 years old, police confirmed. Meanwhile, a separate landslide in nearby Welcome Bay claimed the lives of a grandmother and her grandchild, one of whom was a Chinese national, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
Prime Minister visits disaster zone
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon toured the affected area on Friday, praising the community's response. "It's inspiring to see the support pouring in," he said, noting the efforts of neighbors and volunteers in clearing debris. Despite the tragedy, Luxon commended the professionalism of emergency services but warned of ongoing challenges, including road access to isolated communities and persistent risks of slips and flooding.
Weather conditions worsen
Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast for the weekend in Gisborne and Tauranga, where the landslides occurred, according to New Zealand's meteorological service. The adverse weather could further complicate search and rescue operations.
Search efforts and public appeals
Police are urging the public to provide any information about three additional individuals believed to be international tourists who may have already left the area. "We don't believe they're here, but we still need to conduct a thorough inquiry," said district commander Tim Anderson.
Rescuers, including sniffer dogs, have been working around the clock but have yet to find any signs of life under the rubble. Footage from the campsite shows crushed caravans and flattened tents, illustrating the scale of the devastation.
"We are working 24/7 and leaving no stone unturned," Anderson said.
Eyewitness accounts and broader impact
A tourist at the campsite told TVNZ he fled a pool moments before the landslide struck. The site, a sacred Māori location and popular tourist attraction, has experienced multiple landslides in recent years.
At Welcome Bay, police recovered two bodies from a landslide-damaged house on Thursday. A third person was seriously injured in the incident.
International response and ongoing searches
China's ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, expressed condolences on X, saying, "Our hearts are with the impacted families at this difficult moment."
Elsewhere on the North Island, search teams are continuing efforts to locate a 47-year-old man swept away in the Mahurangi River north of Auckland on Wednesday. His wife told RNZ the family remains hopeful, noting his experience as a fisherman in Kiribati and his swimming abilities.
