In a devastating turn of events, the rescue operation at the scene of a deadly landslide in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand has been called off, with authorities shifting to a recovery mission. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, has claimed the lives of six people, including a 15-year-old, as their camper vans, caravans, and a shower block were buried under the mountain of mud and debris.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson described the situation as “heartbreaking,” with the identification process expected to be “painful” and “lengthy.” The remains of the victims will be transported to a mortuary in Hamilton for further investigation.
For the past two days, the holiday town has held a series of vigils, clinging to the hope that the search and rescue team would be successful. However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged that the shift to a recovery operation was “the news we have all been dreading.”
“Every New Zealander has been hoping for a miracle, and the reality that no one would have been able to survive is devastating,” Luxon said. “To the families who have lost loved ones, every New Zealander is grieving with you.”
The landslide was triggered by heavy rains that pounded the region, with more poor weather, including thunderstorms and hail, forecast for the area on Saturday, potentially hampering the ongoing recovery efforts.
Authorities are also facing questions over why people were not evacuated after reports of a landslip at the campsite and neighbouring areas earlier on Thursday. In a separate incident, two people, including a Chinese national, were killed in a landslide in the neighbouring harbour city of Tauranga.
As the community grapples with this tragic loss, the focus now shifts to the painstaking task of recovering the victims and providing support to the grieving families. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of disaster preparedness in the face of extreme weather events.
