Search teams are still trying to find several people who were believed buried by landslides in the Tauranga area following this week’s devastating storms.<\/p>\n
On Thursday morning at least two people – one of them a young girl – were missing after a landslide came down on several structures at campground at the base of Mauao, Mount Maunganui.<\/p>\n
Several people are missing after a landslide came down on several structures at campground at the base of Mauao, Mount Maunganui.<\/p>\n
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed a young girl was among the missing, and RNZ understands other children may be unaccounted for.<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency’s specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team alongside police were continuing to search for the missing, deputy national commander Megan Stiffler confirmed on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
“USAR is trained to operate in unstable ground, structural collapse and complex rescue environments. Expert operators from Fire and Emergency and police have narrowed down the area of operation.”<\/p>\n
Layers of debris were carefully being removed, she said, and heavy machinery was on site to help.<\/p>\n
“This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe. The teams will be operating overnight until the search is complete.”<\/p>\n
At a media briefing on Thursday afternoon, Mitchell said it was still a “rescue operation” and a fluid ongoing situation.<\/p>\n