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 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, an extinct volcano, shows a huge slip near the base of the volcanic dome, as rescuers and sniffer dogs comb through crushed caravans and flattened tents.
The authorities are continuing their search under hazardous conditions, focusing on ensuring the safety of rescue teams. 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.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Bay of Plenty and several other regions, as weather conditions have caused significant damage and disruption. The search efforts are complicated by the ongoing risk of further landslides.
Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell stated that the recent flooding has significantly impacted the eastern coast of the North Island, highlighting the increasing frequency of severe weather events that have led to similar disasters in recent years.
