• Six people, including children, are missing after a landslide at a New Zealand campground.
• Rescue efforts are complicated by unstable conditions following heavy rains.
• Two fatalities were reported in a separate landslide in a nearby suburb.

Authorities in New Zealand reported that six individuals, including two teenagers, are missing after a landslide struck a busy campground at Mount Maunganui on January 22, triggered by heavy rain. The incident occurred at about 9:30 am local time, bringing down soil and rubble onto a campsite filled with families enjoying summer holidays. As of Friday, emergency crews continued their search for the missing amid concerns about the area’s instability, according to SCMP, Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell highlighted the challenging conditions faced by rescuers, stating that ongoing inspections are necessary due to fears of further ground movement. Police District Commander Tim Anderson mentioned that they were attempting to clarify the whereabouts of three additional people who might be linked to the campground, indicating ongoing uncertainty surrounding the rescue operation. “The area remains unstable, making our job extremely difficult,” he noted in a press conference, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the affected site, engaging with families who were impacted by the landslide. During his visit, he expressed sympathy for those affected, stating, “They are grieving incredibly hard, and I know that New Zealand grieves with them.” Furthermore, he assured that governmental support would be provided to help assess the damage and facilitate recovery efforts. Elsewhere, a separate landslide in the suburb of Papamoa resulted in two fatalities, with officials confirming that one of the deceased was a Chinese citizen, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Road closures in various areas have complicated search and rescue operations, leaving some towns inaccessible by land. The civil defence organization has cautioned residents against crossing unstable terrains to access emergency resources, as this could exacerbate the risk of further landslides. “We must prioritize safety as we navigate these extremely hazardous conditions,” warned officials from the Tairawhiti District, according to Channel News Asia, SCMP, and Reuters.