Two Dead and Several Missing After Devastating Landslides Strike New Zealand’s North Island

At least two people have been confirmed dead, and several others are missing after powerful landslides triggered by torrential rain struck parts of New Zealand’s North Island on Thursday, authorities said.

The disaster unfolded early in the morning when a large landslide hit a house in the Welcome Bay area of Papamoa, killing two residents inside. Other nearby properties were evacuated as heavy rain and unstable ground conditions persisted.

Hours later, a second and much larger landslide surged through the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui, a popular campsite and tourist destination on the east coast. The slide buried caravans, tents, vehicles, and facilities under thick mud and debris.

Emergency services reported that multiple people, including children, remain unaccounted for, with some initial signs of possible survivors detected earlier, but no confirmed rescues from beneath the rubble.

Police officials said the number of missing people is believed to be in the single figures, though exact figures have not yet been released. Among those feared trapped are families and young children, raising grave concerns across the region.

Across the North Island, record-breaking rainfall battered communities, causing widespread flooding, power outages, road closures, and evacuations.

In some areas, roofs and roads were washed away, and search teams faced dangerous, unstable conditions that forced temporary pauses in ground operations.

In addition to the landslides near Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, authorities reported that a separate individual was missing after being swept away by floodwaters north of Auckland, underscoring the broader impact of the severe weather.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, described the events as a profound tragedy and pledged ongoing government support for affected communities.

Rescue operations are continuing, with emergency responders using helicopters, heavy machinery, and search teams including sniffer dogs as they work to locate and assist those trapped under debris.

Residents across the Bay of Plenty and surrounding regions were urged to stay vigilant and follow official safety guidance as weather conditions begin to improve, but ground instability remains a threat.

SOURCES: Reuters, The Independent, People.com, Express News