The search for six individuals presumed dead following a devastating landslide at Beachside Holiday Park in New Zealand is expected to extend over several days. The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, as heavy rainfall from a summer storm swept across the North Island, triggering the massive slip at the popular beach campsite located at the foot of Mount Maunganui.
The missing persons, whose ages range from 15 to 71, include a Swedish tourist and a teenager originally from Italy. As authorities work to locate them, recovery efforts were temporarily suspended over the weekend due to concerns about the unstable ground conditions. The search resumed on Monday, with teams operating under hazardous circumstances.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson stated, “We’re just holding out for the weather to improve because moisture is the enemy at this point.” He emphasized that the saturated ground complicates recovery efforts, highlighting the need for a period of dry weather for safe operations.
A wave of mud crashed into the campsite, which sits in a scenic area named after an extinct volcano. Images from the scene depict vehicles, travel trailers, and an amenities block buried under debris. Initially, rescuers reported hearing voices beneath the rubble, but by Saturday, officials indicated they no longer believed any of the missing individuals had survived.
The missing persons have been identified as Lisa Anne Maclennan (50), Måns Loke Bernhardsson (20), Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler (71), Susan Doreen Knowles (71), Sharon Maccanico (15), and Max Furse-Kee (15). The tragedy unfolded during New Zealand’s peak summer holiday period, drawing attention to the severity of the weather conditions.
The storm has had a catastrophic impact beyond the campsite. In addition to the six individuals missing from Beachside Holiday Park, three other fatalities have been reported in the region. Two people died when a landslide buried a house in nearby Papamoa, while a 47-year-old man from Kiribati was swept away by floodwaters while driving in the far north. His body was discovered on Saturday.
The extreme weather has raised questions regarding emergency preparedness and response in the area. On March 15, the local fire service received a warning from a member of the public about a potential slip near the holiday park, which was communicated to the Tauranga City Council, the landowner of the site. This warning came just four hours prior to the fatal landslide.
In response to the unfolding disaster, the council has announced plans to conduct an independent inquiry into the events leading up to the landslide. The community remains hopeful for improved weather conditions that would allow recovery teams to safely continue their search for the missing individuals.
