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Treacherous conditions are hampering the search for six people presumed killed in a devastating landslide that struck one of New Zealand’s most popular beach campsites last week, authorities announced Monday.
Recovery teams at the Beachside Holiday Park, situated at the foot of Mount Maunganui on New Zealand’s North Island, are battling saturated ground conditions following Thursday’s summer storm that triggered the massive slip of earth and debris.
“We’re just holding out for the weather to improve because moisture is the enemy at this point,” Police Superintendent Tim Anderson said in a statement. “The ground is saturated and what we need is days of fine weather.”
The search had been suspended over the weekend due to ongoing concerns about ground stability in the area. Officials warned that the recovery operation is expected to take several days as teams navigate hazardous conditions.
Those missing include visitors and locals ranging in age from 15 to 71. Authorities have identified them as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50; Måns Loke Bernhardsson, a 20-year-old Swedish tourist; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71; Susan Doreen Knowles, 71; Sharon Maccanico, 15; and Max Furse-Kee, 15. Initial reports indicated that Sharon Maccanico was originally from Italy.
The tragedy unfolded during New Zealand’s peak summer holiday period when the campsite was likely filled with vacationers. Eyewitness accounts described a wave of mud cascading down from the mountain, crushing vehicles, travel trailers and an amenities block. In the immediate aftermath on Thursday, rescuers reported hearing voices beneath the rubble, raising hopes for survivors. By Saturday, however, authorities announced they no longer believed any of the missing had survived.
The landslide occurred during a record-breaking deluge that swept across the North Island. Tauranga, the city where Mount Maunganui is located, registered its wettest 24-hour period since record-keeping began in 1910. Meteorological experts have noted that the region experienced an unusually intense summer storm system that dumped massive amounts of rainfall in a short period.
The disaster at the campsite was not the only tragedy caused by the severe weather. Two additional people were killed when a landslide buried a house in nearby Papamoa on Thursday. A day earlier, a 47-year-old man from Kiribati was swept away by floodwaters while driving in New Zealand’s far north. His body was recovered on Saturday, bringing the storm’s total death toll to nine.
Questions have emerged about whether timely evacuation orders could have prevented the campsite tragedy. In a concerning development, the fire service revealed Monday that it had forwarded a warning from a member of the public about a slip near the holiday park to the Tauranga City Council—the landowner of the site—approximately four hours before the fatal landslide struck.
The Tauranga City Council has announced plans to hold an independent inquiry into the incident, which will likely examine the timeline of warnings and the decision-making process regarding evacuations.
Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano with a distinctive profile, is one of New Zealand’s most recognized landmarks and a popular tourist destination. The beachside area around the mountain attracts thousands of visitors annually, particularly during the southern hemisphere’s summer months from December to February.
New Zealand, with its mountainous terrain and coastal settlements, has a history of landslides and natural disasters. The country sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences frequent seismic activity that can contribute to land instability, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
Local community members have begun establishing memorial sites near the campground, while government officials have promised support for the families of those affected by the tragedy.
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18 Comments
This is a tragic situation. My condolences to the families and communities impacted by this devastating landslide. The recovery efforts sound incredibly difficult and dangerous given the hazardous conditions.
Agreed, the wet, unstable ground will pose major obstacles for the search teams. I hope they’re able to make progress soon, despite the challenging circumstances.
How awful. A landslide striking a popular beach campsite is just horrific. My condolences go out to the families and communities affected by this tragedy. The recovery efforts must be extremely difficult and dangerous.
I agree, the hazardous conditions will make this a very complex and drawn-out recovery operation. Hopefully the weather improves soon to assist the teams in their search.
It’s alarming to hear about this devastating landslide at a popular beach campsite in New Zealand. My condolences to the victims and their communities. The authorities are facing a complex and dangerous situation.
You’re right, the recovery operation sounds incredibly hazardous. I hope the teams can stay safe while they work to bring closure to the families.
This is a heartbreaking incident. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the surrounding community. The recovery operation sounds tremendously difficult and risky given the saturated, unstable ground conditions.
You’re right, the hazardous environment will pose major obstacles for the search teams. I hope they’re able to carry out their work as safely as possible and provide answers to the families.
This is a tragic incident. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who are presumed dead. The recovery efforts must be extremely challenging given the treacherous conditions.
Yes, the saturated ground and unstable conditions make this a very difficult search. I hope the weather improves soon to aid the recovery teams.
This is a devastating incident. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and the surrounding community. The authorities face a hugely challenging task in recovering the missing persons amidst the treacherous conditions.
You’re right, the saturated ground and unstable terrain will make this a perilous operation. I hope the recovery teams can stay safe while they work to provide answers and closure.
This is an absolute tragedy. My deepest condolences to the families and communities mourning the loss of these six individuals. The recovery efforts sound incredibly challenging and hazardous given the unstable conditions.
I agree, the teams face an incredibly complex and dangerous situation. I hope they’re able to make progress soon and provide some closure, despite the treacherous environment.
This is a devastating loss of life. I’m saddened to hear about the six people who are presumed dead, including visitors and locals of varying ages. My thoughts are with their loved ones during this difficult time.
The conditions sound incredibly challenging for the search and recovery teams. I hope they’re able to make progress despite the saturated ground and stability concerns.
How devastating. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragic incident. The recovery operation must be incredibly complex and risky given the treacherous conditions at the site. I hope the teams can make progress safely.
You’re absolutely right, the saturated ground and stability concerns will make this a perilous search. I’m hoping the weather improves to assist the teams in their difficult work.