Tragedy struck in New Zealand as two individuals lost their lives in a devastating landslide triggered by heavy rainfall.
Two distinct landslides impacted a residence and a camping area, resulting in at least two fatalities while rescue teams continue their search for individuals trapped under the debris.
Reports from officials indicated that the community in Welcome Bay, Papamoa, was hit by a landslide at 4:50 am, with two individuals managing to escape from a house while rescuers later discovered the bodies of two others who were trapped inside.
Subsequently, emergency services responded to a second landslide at the foot of Mount Maunganui. Debris from the slide struck a beachside holiday park in the same vicinity, damaging vehicles, travel trailers, and an amenities block.
Amidst the aftermath of the Mount Maunganui landslide, Fire and Emergency NZ commander William Pike reported hearing voices beneath the rubble, prompting search efforts to locate survivors.
Rescue operations were ongoing at the second site, with Police Superintendent Tim Anderson confirming that the number of missing individuals was in the single digits.
Dogs were enlisted to aid in the search for potential victims amidst the debris at Mount Maunganui, with no survivors or bodies recovered up to late Thursday, as mentioned by Minister Mark Mitchell.
Further north near Warkworth, another person was reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters on Wednesday morning, as heavy rains affected large portions of the North Island, according to a police statement.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged residents to follow guidance from local authorities, emphasizing the hazardous conditions persisting across the North Island due to extreme weather.
Mark Mitchell refrained from disclosing whether any of the missing individuals in the Mount Maunganui landslide were foreign nationals, citing the sensitivity of the situation during an interview with ABC news.
Authorities continued efforts to determine the exact number of missing persons, reviewing security camera footage to ascertain who had vacated the campground before the disaster. Mitchell emphasized the challenging nature of the site and the potential for further slides, underscoring the strenuous rescue operations in progress.