At least two dead in New Zealand landslides with others missing
At least two people have been confirmed dead and several others are missing after deadly landslides struck parts of New Zealand’s North Island this week, officials and emergency responders have confirmed. The disasters were triggered by days of record-breaking rainfall that swept earth and debris into homes and a popular campsite, creating a sudden and devastating situation for residents and holiday-makers alike.
The first landslide hit a house in Welcome Bay, where two victims were found dead after being trapped under rubble despite attempts by emergency crews to reach them. The destruction came in the early hours of Thursday as intense rain soaked the region. Later that same day, a second massive landslide struck the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui, burying campervans, tents and a shower block beneath mud and debris. Authorities said that while rescue operations are ongoing, no survivors or additional bodies had yet been recovered from the campground debris as of the latest reports.
Local police and emergency services continue to search the affected areas with sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, though efforts are made difficult by unstable ground and the risk of further slides. Some people, including children, are currently unaccounted for and feared missing, but officials have not yet released precise numbers, stating only that the number of missing is in the single digits. Authorities have urged the public to stay away from dangerous areas as weather conditions remain volatile, and Government officials have pledged ongoing support to search and recovery efforts.
The extreme weather that caused these landslides is part of a wider storm system that has battered large portions of the North Island, leading to flash floods, road closures and power outages in many communities. National leaders have described the scale of the damage as severe, and emergency management agencies are coordinating their response across multiple fronts.
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