New Zealand authorities announced on Saturday their efforts to identify individuals affected by a landslide that struck a bustling campground on the North Island. Human remains were discovered following the incident triggered by heavy rains on Thursday at Mount Maunganui on the east coast of the island. The tragedy occurred in Tauranga, a popular spot for families on summer vacations.
Six individuals, including two teenagers, are presumed to have perished in the landslide. Search and rescue operations have been halted, and a recovery mission is in progress. Authorities indicated that the chances of finding any survivors are slim, with no signs of life detected since initial reports of voices heard from the debris on Thursday.
Chief Coroner Anna Tutton stated that her office is currently engaged in the process of identifying the victims. “The duration of the identification process is uncertain, but we are committed to conducting it meticulously,” Tutton affirmed.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his sorrow over the tragic news. He extended his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, emphasizing that the entire nation shares in their grief. Luxon visited the site and met with the families of the victims on Friday.
Thirty-five workers, supported by heavy machinery, are clearing debris following a partial collapse in the search area. However, the forecast of heavy rainfall poses additional challenges, potentially forcing the crew to retreat from the search area for safety reasons, as mentioned by Fire and Emergency official Megan Stiffler in a statement.
Furthermore, this week’s heavy rainfall led to another landslide in the nearby suburb of Papamoa, resulting in two fatalities.
