(Adnkronos) – Two people have died and several are feared buried due to landslides on New Zealand’s North Island, the BBC reports. The deaths were reported in Welcome Bay, while rescuers are still searching through the rubble at another site, a popular campsite on Mount Maunganui. There are “no signs of life,” authorities said, adding that they are waiting to know the exact number of missing persons and that the group could include “at least one child.”
The landslides were triggered by heavy rains in recent days, which caused floods and power outages across the North Island. New Zealand is “grief-stricken” after the “profound tragedy” caused by recent weather conditions, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X. Footage from the campsite on Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano, shows a massive landslide near the base of the volcanic dome, as rescuers and dogs sift through destroyed caravans and flattened tents.
Authorities said searches would continue throughout the night. “This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while ensuring everyone’s safety,” said Megan Stiffler, national deputy commander of the urban search and rescue team.
