Maunganui Landslide: Children Missing After Mount Maunganui Slip
- Several people are missing after a landslide came down on several structures at campground at the base of Mauao, Mount Maunganui.
- Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed a young girl was among the missing, and RNZ understands other children might potentially be unaccounted for.
- Fire and Emergency's specialist urban search and Rescue (USAR) team alongside police were continuing to search for the missing,deputy national commander Megan Stiffler confirmed on thursday evening.
Several people are missing after a landslide came down on several structures at campground at the base of Mauao, Mount Maunganui.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed a young girl was among the missing, and RNZ understands other children might potentially be unaccounted for.
Fire and Emergency’s specialist urban search and Rescue (USAR) team alongside police were continuing to search for the missing,deputy national commander Megan Stiffler confirmed on thursday evening.
“USAR is trained to operate in unstable ground, structural collapse and complex rescue environments. Expert operators from Fire and Emergency and police have narrowed down the area of operation.”
Layers of debris were carefully being removed, she said, and heavy machinery was on site to help.
“This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe. The teams will be operating overnight untill the search is complete.”
At a media briefing on Thursday afternoon, Mitchell said it was still a “rescue operation” and a fluid ongoing situation.
Several people are unaccounted for following a slip near a campsite in Mount Maunganui.
Photo: Shirley Thomas
FENZ and other first responders were working as quickly as possible but the stability of the land and safety issues needed to be taken into account, he said.
“We’re still in a response phase, there is still a lot of activity going on, there’s still a lot of work being done to understand exactly what damage has occurred.
“We know that we’ve had multiple slips, infrastructure down, working hard to get power restored and obviously a real priority is the recovery of people and the rescue operation that is happening.”
There are sniffer dogs at the scene as emergency services try to find anyone trapped in the slip at the Beachside holiday park.
Police have urged members of the public to avoid the Mount to allow emergency services to have the space to work safely.
“The last thing we need is rubbernecks in the area,” Police district Commander Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson said.
The slip came down around 9.30am, hitting campervans, cars, tents, a toilet and shower block, and also the park’s hot pools.
A Tauranga resident living near the campground said she watched emergency staff digging through the mud.
Robyn, who lives in an apartment nearby, said nobody had been found yet.
Landslip at Mount Maunganui Holiday Park
A critically important landslip occurred at the Mount Maunganui Holiday Park, resulting in an ongoing search and rescue operation. The incident is described as complex and high-risk, with unstable ground and structural collapse.
Current Situation:
* Unaccounted For: A small number of people (single figures) remain unaccounted for.Some checked out without notifying authorities, complicating the count.
* Area of Concern: The ablution block was directly hit by the slip, with reports of people potentially inside at the time.A campervan and surrounding tents were also affected.
* Emergency Response: A major incident was declared, with 40 firefighters (including Urban Search and Rescue teams), police, and ambulance workers at the scene.The Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club is serving as a triage and evacuation center. The rest of the campsite has been evacuated.
* Search Efforts: Responders initially heard voices under the rubble but have not detected any further signs of life. Search efforts are continuing.
* Evolving situation: The landslip is considered active and evolving. A further slip occurred later in the morning.
witness Account:
A witness, nix Jaques, described hearing a loud noise and seeing land coming down onto structures, including the ablution block and a campervan occupied by a family.
Authorities’ Statements:
* Mitchell (Council): initially assured the public it was safe.
* Drysdale (Mayor): Acknowledged the evolving situation and difficulties in determining the exact number of people present.
* Pike (Fire and Emergency Commander): Prioritized life safety, scene stabilization, and risk assessment.
* Anderson (Police District Commander): Confirmed people are unaccounted for and stated police prepared for the weather event and demonstrated bravery.
* Rutherford (MP): Confirmed people are unaccounted for and urged the public to stay away to allow access for rescuers.