landslide in New Zealand Leaves Six Missing, Search Efforts ongoing

Tauranga, New Zealand – A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has left six people missing at a campsite near mount Maunganui on New Zealand’s North Island, authorities confirmed on Friday. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, impacting a popular campsite in Tauranga where families were enjoying the summer holidays.

Police District Manager Tim Anderson stated at a press conference that, in addition to the six confirmed missing, authorities are attempting to contact three more individuals as a precautionary measure. Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night, but have yet to locate the missing persons.

This incident follows a separate landslide on Thursday in the nearby township of Papamoa, wich tragically resulted in two fatalities, according to police reports. The recent heavy rains have saturated the ground,increasing the risk of landslides in the region.

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale informed Radio New Zealand that the search and rescue teams are working diligently despite the challenging conditions. The focus remains on locating the missing individuals and ensuring the safety of the surrounding areas.

Authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution and heed any warnings issued by local emergency services. Further updates will be provided as the search and rescue operation progresses.