In a heart-wrenching turn, a holiday park in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty was ravaged by a landslide Thursday, with numerous people—including children—trapped and missing. The Beachside Holiday Park, nestled under Mount Maunganui, became a debris field after torrential rains destabilized the slope.
Around 9:30 AM local time, the ground shifted violently, burying campers, tents, hot pools, and structures under mudslide mayhem. Rescue crews heard signs of life initially, but Commander William Paike confirmed no further sounds or confirmed rescues.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell deemed it a national tragedy, as teams dig through the wreckage relentlessly. The area was cleared of bystanders amid pandemonium, with ongoing sweeps to ensure no one remains endangered.
Tauranga logged a staggering 270mm of rain in 24 hours, fueling the slide amid broader North Island flooding. Power blackouts affect thousands; isolated Northland and east coast spots struggle without contact. PM Christopher Luxon called for caution, pledging full governmental backup.
Mount Maunganui’s recent storm logged unprecedented precipitation—equivalent to 2.5 months in 12 hours. Mayor Mahé Drysdale expressed deep grief, centering efforts on safety. This disaster amplifies concerns over infrastructure in flood-prone zones.
As operations continue into the night, the community rallies. The loss potential underscores urgent needs for better forecasting and resilient planning against climate-driven extremes. New Zealand mourns and mobilizes.