At least nine people are missing in New Zealand after a landslide struck a campsite on the North Island, police said on Friday, following torrential rainfall that inundated the area.
The landslide struck a campsite near Mount Maunganui on Thursday, following 274 millimeters of rain that fell within 24 hours, triggering slope failures and flooding across the region. Authorities confirmed that six people are officially listed as missing, while efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of three international tourists who have not been located.
Police said the youngest of those missing are two 15-year-olds. They added that it remains unclear how many of the missing are New Zealand citizens versus foreign visitors.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the incident as an absolute tragedy, saying he had met families awaiting news of their loved ones. He said the families were experiencing profound grief and that the country stands with them during the search.
Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations amid difficult conditions, as unstable ground and saturated soil complicate access to the site. Weather authorities have warned that further rain could increase the risk of additional landslides in parts of the North Island.
New Zealand is prone to landslides during periods of intense rainfall, particularly in coastal and mountainous areas, and authorities urged the public to follow safety advisories as recovery efforts continue.
Follow the latest news on Google News
