Key Takeaways:
- A landslide occurred at Mount Maunganui on New Zealand’s North Island, causing widespread damage and leaving multiple people missing.
- The landslide hit the Beachside Holiday Park, a popular tourist spot, and destroyed parts of the campground.
- Australian tourists, including Sonny Worrall and Glynn Jones, described their terrifying experiences and narrow escapes from the disaster.
- Emergency services are searching for survivors, but no signs of life have been detected since initial voices were heard in the rubble.
- The cause of the landslide is believed to be heavy rains, which have caused widespread damage on the east coast of the North Island.
Introduction to the Disaster
The Mount Maunganui landslide has left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. On January 22, 2026, a massive landslide occurred at the Beachside Holiday Park, a popular tourist spot on New Zealand’s North Island. The disaster struck at around 9:30 am, catching many people off guard and resulting in multiple people missing. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains, which have caused widespread damage on the east coast of the North Island. Australian tourist Sonny Worrall, who was swimming in a pool at the time of the landslide, described his terrifying escape, saying he had to dive into the next pool to avoid being struck by a caravan that smashed through a cinder block wall and crashed down beside him.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses to the disaster have described the scene as "like a movie" and "horrific." Sonny Worrall, who was visibly shaken, said, "As I’m swimming, I heard this huge landslide behind me, trees cracking, and there was a caravan that almost hit me. I was just fearing for my life." Another Australian tourist, Glynn Jones, who was walking on the beach, said he saw the whole landslide coming and described it as "horrendous." Penny Carnaby, who saw the devastation unfold from her apartment, said, "I just saw it keep coming and coming, and everyone was running and there was screaming and yelling… It just happened so fast. It was just horrific." These eyewitness accounts provide a glimpse into the chaos and destruction caused by the landslide.
Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services responded quickly to the disaster, with firefighters and police officers rushing to the scene. However, the search for survivors has been challenging due to the unstable nature of the rubble. Fire and Emergency NZ commander William Pike said that voices were initially heard in the rubble, but no survivors have been recovered since. The slip is still moving, and emergency services are working to "de-layer" part of the rubble to search for survivors. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said that some of the people who were unaccounted for had checked out of the holiday park without informing officials, making it difficult to determine the exact number of missing people.
Aftermath and Investigation
The landslide has caused widespread damage, with homes evacuated, thousands without power, and roads closed. Geoscientists are assessing the mountain to determine whether it is safe. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that he is "actively monitoring situations across the country – including the major incident in Mount Maunganui." The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also making urgent inquiries with local authorities to determine whether any Australians have been affected. The cause of the landslide is believed to be heavy rains, which have caused widespread damage on the east coast of the North Island. An investigation into the disaster is ongoing, and it is likely that more information will become available in the coming days.
Conclusion and Support
The Mount Maunganui landslide is a devastating disaster that has left many people affected. The search for survivors is ongoing, and emergency services are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped. The international community is also showing support, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade making urgent inquiries to determine whether any Australians have been affected. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to provide support to those affected and to work towards preventing such disasters in the future. The thoughts of the international community are with those affected by the landslide, and we hope that the search for survivors will be successful in the coming days.