A massive landslide has destroyed part of an iconic campground in New Zealand, leaving several people missing
Several people, including children, remain unaccounted for following a devastating landslide that has obliterated sections of a well-known campsite in New Zealand.
Rescue teams are frantically combing through the wreckage for those missing after torrential downpours triggered catastrophic damage at Mount Maunganui, reports the Mirror..
Children are thought to be amongst those yet to be found in the aftermath of the landslide. The camping facility has been shut down in the wake of the natural catastrophe, with emergency crews on location working to trace the missing individuals.
The disaster struck the popular tourist destination, situated roughly 240 kilometres south-east of Auckland, on Thursday morning (January 22). Reports from local sources indicate that cries were audible from the coastal holiday park where the landslip engulfed tents, campervans and a shower facility.
Tauranga City Council confirmed in a statement that the majority of visitors have been safely removed from the Mount Holiday Park.
A council representative stated: “The landslide that has occurred at Mount Maunganui is an evolving situation. We are on site and working with emergency services to gather more information and provide support.”
“What we know is that several people are unaccounted for. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this event and their loved ones.”
A representative for the Fire and Emergency department has confirmed that rescue operations have been temporarily halted due to the risk of a secondary landslide, as reported by the Herald. The spokesperson added that cries were heard as the land gave way, but no voices have been detected since.
Minister Mark Mitchell revealed that “young people” are among those unaccounted for, with distraught parents anxiously awaiting updates at a nearby surf club.
So far, there have been no reports of survivors found. ABC News has reported that emergency services have confirmed a young girl is among the missing.
Local fisherman Alister Hardy described hearing “rolling thunder and cracking of trees”, before witnessing “the whole hillside gave way”.
“There were people running and screaming and I saw people get bowled. There are people trapped,” he recounted.
The region has been subjected to record-breaking rainfall, with two-and-a-half months’ worth of rain falling in a mere 12 hours.
