WELLINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) – New Zealand police on Monday restarted rescue efforts for victims of last week’s landslide at a busy campsite in the country’s North Island.
Heavy rain triggered a landslide on Mount Maunganui on the island’s east coast on Thursday, sending soil and debris sliding down the city of Tauranga, killing six people, including two teenagers and packed with families during the summer holidays.
Human remains were found at the scene on Saturday, but police have not yet confirmed whether they have been identified.
Efforts to rescue victims were suspended on Sunday after a contractor driver noticed potential instability on the landslide’s surface.
Bay of Plenty area commander Tim Anderson said in a statement on Monday that recovery efforts resumed at 10:30am local time (2130GMT Sunday).
“Additional monitoring equipment has been brought in and specialist crews have removed the loose material of concern above the slide area this morning,” Anderson said.
A vigil was held for the victims in a nearby park on Sunday, attended by about 200 locals, as well as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell, Radio New Zealand reported.
In a post on X, Luxon said it was “very special to join the Mount Maunganui community” in honor of the precious lives lost.
(Reporting by Lucy Kramer; Editing by Jamie Freed)
