Rescue efforts are under way to free people buried under rubble after landslides hit a campsite and house in New Zealand.
They were triggered by heavy rains across the east of the North Island that cut power to thousands of homes, closed roads and caused widespread damage.
Emergency services were called around 9.30am on Thursday (9.30pm Wednesday UK time) to the base of Mount Maunganui, a popular tourist spot in the Bay of Plenty.
The rubble hit Beachside Holiday Park in a town named after the extinct volcano – a sacred Maori site – leaving caravans strewn and damaged.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson said the number of people missing was in the “single figures” but did not further say how many were affected.
Local media reports said children were among the missing, citing emergency management minister Mark Mitchell.
Police said two people were missing after another landslide struck a house in nearby Papamoa.
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A third person was said to be missing after a vehicle was washed away north of Auckland.
‘Voices heard’
Three hours after the slide, Fire and Emergency New Zealand commander William Pike said that no survivors had been recovered at Mount Maunganui.
“Members of the public… tried to get into the rubble and did hear some voices,” Mr Pike told reporters. “Our initial fire crew arrived and… were able to hear the same.
“Shortly after our initial crew arrived, we withdrew everyone from the site due to possible movement and slip.”
He added that no sign of life had been detected since.
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged residents in affected areas to follow safety advice from local authorities.
“Extreme weather continues to cause dangerous conditions across the North Island,” he said on social media.
“Right now, the government is doing everything we can to support those impacted.”
Bay of Plenty tourism website describes Mount Maunganui as a must-visit destination on any trip to New Zealand, with “the country’s best beach”, which is popular for swimming, walking and other watersports.
