Two people have died and several are feared buried after landslides in New Zealand's North Island.
The deaths were reported at Welcome Bay, while rescue workers are still searching through rubble at a different site in a popular campground on Mount Maunganui.
There are no signs of life, authorities said, adding that they have a rough idea of how many people are missing but are waiting for an exact figure. They provided no other details except that the group includes at least one young girl.
The landslides were triggered by heavy rains over the last few days, which led to flooding and power outages across the North Island. One minister said the east coast resembled a war zone.
New Zealand is heavy with grief after the profound tragedy caused by recent weather, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X.
Footage from the campsite on Mount Maunganui shows a huge slip near the base of the volcanic dome, as rescuers and sniffer dogs comb through crushed caravans and flattened tents.
Authorities said that the search would continue through the night. This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe, said Megan Stiffler, the deputy national commander for the Urban Search and Rescue team.
The extinct volcano is a sacred Māori site and one of the most popular campgrounds in New Zealand, but it has been repeatedly hit by landslides in recent years.
Residents have described the chaos, with one tourist recounting the moment a massive landslide began while he was swimming. A hiker reported hearing cries for help from beneath the debris, emphasizing the urgency of the rescue efforts.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Bay of Plenty and other parts of the North Island, with reports of record rainfall inundating the region, impacting thousands and complicating rescue operations.
As the community comes together in the face of this disaster, the Prime Minister has acknowledged the country’s collective sorrow and the challenges ahead in recovery.
