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New Zealand Landslide Search Ends, Recovery Begins for Six Missing

The search for victims of a devastating landslide at a Mount Maunganui holiday park has formally transitioned to a recovery operation. Authorities have located human remains in the debris, with six people still unaccounted for after the slip struck on Thursday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met affected families, describing the event as an absolute tragedy for the nation. The landslide caused catastrophic damage to facilities amid severe weather that has battered New Zealand's North Island.

Key Points: NZ Landslide Recovery Phase for Missing at Mount Maunganui

  • Search moves to recovery phase
  • Human remains found under slip
  • Six people unaccounted for
  • Landslide hit holiday park Thursday
  • Heavy rain battered North Island
2 min read

Search for New Zealand landslide victims shifts to recovery phase

Authorities shift to recovery after landslide at NZ holiday park. Human remains found, six unaccounted for. PM Luxon meets grieving families.

"a huge amount of grief - Prime Minister Christopher Luxon"

Wellington, Jan 24

The search for victims of landslide that buried a holiday campsite at Mount Maunganui on the North Island and left six people unaccounted for is moving into a recovery phase, authorities said.

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said the operation was formally handed over to Police by Fire and Emergency New Zealand at 11:20 a.m. Saturday local time.

He said human remains had been found under the slip and formal identification is proceeding.

Search teams and heavy machinery are continuing to clear sodden debris toward an amenities block thought to have been destroyed by the massive slip, he said, adding that the building suffered "catastrophic damage."

The large landslide struck the holiday park at the base of Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty region around 9:30 a.m. local time Thursday.

Several people, including children, are missing after a large landslide struck a holiday park at the base of Mount Maunganui in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region on Thursday.

In another landslide in the Bay of Plenty, two people were confirmed dead after a slip destroyed a home in Papamoa early Thursday, police said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who met some of the affected families on Friday, said there is "a huge amount of grief" and anxiety as the families wait for news, calling the disaster an absolute tragedy for New Zealand, Xinhua news agency reported.

The slip swept through campervans, cars, tents, hot pools, and a shower block, triggering evacuations across the site.

Heavy rain and flooding had battered parts of the North Island, leaving thousands without power and isolating some communities on the east coast.

Mayor Mahe Drysdale had said it was a "deeply distressing event, and our priority right now is the safety and wellbeing of those involved".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Terrible news. The shift to recovery phase means they've lost hope of finding survivors. So tragic, especially with children involved. Makes you appreciate every moment.
A
Aman W
Heavy rain and landslides... sounds familiar with our own monsoon tragedies in the hills. Authorities everywhere need better early warning systems for such zones. Condolences to all affected.
S
Sarah B
The description of "catastrophic damage" is chilling. It must be a nightmare for the rescue teams too. Hoping the identification process gives some closure to the families.
V
Vikram M
A holiday turning into a disaster. So sad. Nature's fury spares no one. We see similar scenes during cloudbursts in Himachal or Uttarakhand. Global climate patterns are becoming more extreme.
K
Karthik V
While the response seems coordinated, one has to ask if the campsite was in a known risk area. With heavy rain forecasts, were warnings issued? A respectful criticism – prevention is key.
N
Nisha Z
Om Shanti. May the departed souls find peace. The anxiety of the waiting families is unimaginable. Hope the recovery work is done with utmost dignity and care.

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