Latest news Landslide at campsite in New Zealand - several people missing
Mount Maunganui/Auckland - After a serious landslide at a campsite on Mount Maunganui in New Zealand, emergency services continue to search feverishly for several missing people. The newspaper "New Zealand Herald", citing one of the rescuers, spoke of nine people trapped, while the portal "Stuff" had previously reported six missing, including several children. The authorities did not initially confirm these figures. It is also unclear whether foreigners are among them.
22.01.2026, 08:15
22.01.2026, 13:00
SDA
The landslide in the morning (local time) destroyed parts of the well-known camping area and tents were razed to the ground, according to the police. This was preceded by record rainfall.
Eyewitnesses reported that cries for help could be heard from a toilet block. People on the roof were desperately trying to reach the trapped people. After around 15 minutes, however, the voices fell silent, reported the New Zealand Herald newspaper, citing a man involved in the rescue operation. Videos circulating on the internet showed the moment of the accident.
Missing person found dead in apartment building
Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Papamoa, two missing people could only be recovered dead after another landslide hit a residential building. The building was badly damaged, the police said.
However, police chief Tim Anderson was initially unable to give an exact number of missing persons for the campsite, but said at a press conference that it was "a single-digit number". Due to the danger of further landslides, the rescuers had to proceed with extreme caution. However, it is "possible that we will find someone alive", Anderson emphasized. Among other things, a dog squadron was deployed.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke of a "terrible tragedy" in a statement. The country is in deep mourning. He also thanked the emergency services.
Search continues through the night
The search work would continue throughout the night, said Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell. "They will work around the clock until they have searched every piece of ground," promised the mayor of the nearby city of Tauranga, Mahé Drysdale.
The seaside resort of Mount Maunganui is located on a peninsula and is known for its breathtaking nature, beautiful beaches and a striking extinct volcano - simply called "The Mount" by New Zealanders. The area is located in the world-famous Bay of Plenty region on the North Island. It is the summer vacations in New Zealand and many people are traveling.
State of emergency in several regions after record rainfall
The accidents were triggered by extremely heavy rain: In the region, as much rain fell in twelve hours as normally falls in two and a half months - the highest daily value since records began. A state of emergency was declared in several regions.
There was also severe flooding in other parts of the North Island. North of Auckland, a search is underway for a man who was swept away by the floods in his car while trying to cross the Mahurangi River. The emergency teams were deployed with drones, helicopters and rafting boats, among other things, as reported by Radio New Zealand.
