A significant landslide has caused devastation in New Zealand, leaving several individuals missing and at least two people deceased. The chaos resulted in caravans, tents, and vehicles being flattened on the island.
Six people are still unaccounted for, while police are seeking information on three others, including two teenagers, with the youngest being 15 years old. Emergency services are working urgently to rescue those trapped in the rubble.
The emergency management minister described parts of the east coast resembling a “war zone” after the landslide occurred rapidly following record-breaking rainfall. Local states of emergency have been declared in five regions in Northland and the East Cape.
The initial slide hit Welcome Bay on New Zealand’s North Island in the early morning, followed by a second landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, where multiple children are still missing. Rescuers on the scene described hearing screams and seeing holidaymakers fleeing the campground.
Witnesses reported hearing thunderous sounds and seeing the hillside collapse, causing people to run and scream. The Beachside Holiday Park has been evacuated, with rescue workers conducting a thorough search for any trapped individuals.
Dramatic footage from the site shows the aftermath of the disaster, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area. Despite efforts, rescue workers have not found any signs of life at the campsite. Eyewitnesses shared their experiences of the landslide, emphasizing the speed at which it occurred and the chaos that ensued.
One woman, hailed as a hero, warned others of the impending landslide moments before being buried in the debris. She helped evacuate campers but eventually became trapped herself when the hillside collapsed.
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