Six people are unaccounted for following the landslide in Mount Maunganui yesterday, police confirmed this afternoon, while they are seeking information on three others.
The slip occurred at Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mauao on Thursday morning, which hit the campsite’s toilet and shower block, knocking over campervans and tents.
Bay of Plenty Police Superintendent Tim Anderson said six people were unaccounted for, including two teenagers – the youngest of whom was 15.
He said there had not been any signs of life under the rubble today, “but we live in hope”.
Three others were international tourists who had checked in to the holiday park, who police were seeking further information on.
“[The tourists] would have departed the area… We don’t believe they’re here but we’ve still got to do that inquiry,” he said.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a media standup following a visit to the site that the country was “full of grief”, calling the incident an “absolute tragedy”.
He acknowledged the complex array of emotions experienced by the families of those unaccounted for following the landslip.
“There’s massive hope, there’s massive worry, concern, but every individual that I spoke to is handling it in slightly different ways, as you would expect,” he said.
“All we can do is make sure that we’re offering the very best support to those families.”
Two people were confirmed to have died in a separate slip on Welcome Bay Rd – one of them was a Chinese national and authorities were working with the embassy.
‘Complex and high-risk environment’
Fire and Emergency earlier warned conditions remained dangerous and the operation could take days.
Follow 1News’ live updates here.
Assistant National Commander David Guard says specialist teams worked throughout the night, carefully removing layers of debris in what he described as a complex and high-risk environment.
Progress had been slow due to the instability of the site, with a continued risk of further landslides.
“We are operating in a complex and high-risk environment,” Guard said.
“We will continue the operation until the search is complete. Our thoughts remain with the families of the people unaccounted for. We ask people to avoid the Mount to allow emergency services to have the space to work safely.”
Fire and Emergency urged anyone in a life-threatening situation to call 111.
Desperate rescue operation after hillside tumbled into caravans and tents at popular beachside camp. (Source: 1News)
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said it could take “days” for rescue teams to reach the trapped.
He told the Herald a “massive” volume of earth had come down onto the site, slowing efforts as crews work to ensure the slip does not move further.
“It could be days, and we appreciate that everybody is anxious and waiting for their loved ones, and for some answers,” Chambers said.
“But we also have to be very careful.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described the situation as a “profound tragedy” and is today visiting affected areas.
Emergency services across the upper North Island remained under pressure, responding to 306 weather-related callouts from Northland through to the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti between 1am Tuesday and 7am today.
Specialist water rescue teams from around the North Island had now been demobilised, as the focus shifted to the ongoing search at Mt Maunganui and recovery efforts elsewhere.
Retired GP Alanna Ratna said two builders immediately scaled the roof of a toilet block in an attempt to rescue those trapped. (Source: 1News)
Bystanders showed ‘tremendous courage’ – witness
Retired GP Alanna Ratna, who was walking around Mauao when the slip came down, told 1News she heard an “enormous noise” and saw trees “moving down the hillside” as people nearby screamed and ran.
She said two builders immediately climbed onto the roof of the toilet block where children were trapped and began unscrewing roofing panels using tools from their work kit.
“They just grabbed their gear, jumped on the roof and risked their lives because they could hear those children screaming,” she said. “Others joined them before the police finally arrived.”
She called the pair “the real heroes”.
“What I saw was amazing courage from a lot of people that had just been strolling past. I think that’s the thing to emphasise, the absolute devastation of the parents and the tremendous courage of those guys that just leapt up on the roof. That’s what sticks in your head.”
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including the search continues in Mt Maunganui, Australian police hunt a gunman on the loose, and record breaking Oscars run. (Source: 1News)