Two people have died and several are feared buried after landslides in New Zealand's North Island. The deaths were reported at Welcome Bay, while rescue workers are still searching through rubble at a different site in a popular campground on Mount Maunganui.
There are no signs of life, authorities said, adding that they have a rough idea of how many people are missing but are waiting for an exact figure. They provided no other details except that the group includes at least one young girl.
The landslides were triggered by heavy rains over the last few days, which led to flooding and power outages across North Island. One minister said the east coast resembled a war zone.
New Zealand is heavy with grief after the profound tragedy caused by recent weather, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X. Footage from the campsite shows a massive slip near the base of the volcanic dome, as rescuers and sniffer dogs comb through crushed caravans and flattened tents.
Authorities reported that the search would continue through the night, with a focus on ensuring the safety of rescue teams in a complex and high-risk environment. Mount Maunganui is a sacred Māori site and a popular campground that has experienced repeated landslides in recent years.
Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell described the situation as a significant event affecting nearly the entire eastern seaboard of the North Island. The recent flooding and landslides have compounded challenges for local communities still recovering from previous disasters.
