Key Takeaways
- Måns Loke Bernhardsson, a 20-year-old tourist from Sweden, has been formally identified as one of the victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide.
- Six people died in the landslide, which occurred last Thursday.
- Bernhardsson’s family has expressed their gratitude for the support they have received from the community, officials, and people in Sweden.
- The rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have resumed after being paused due to concerns about land movement.
- The first victim, Max Furse-Kee, was formally identified on Wednesday, which would have been his 16th birthday.
Introduction to the Tragedy
The Mount Maunganui landslide has resulted in the loss of six lives, with the latest victim to be formally identified being Måns Loke Bernhardsson, a 20-year-old tourist from Sweden. The identification was made at an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court, where coroner Louella Dunn expressed her condolences to Bernhardsson’s family and friends. The coroner acknowledged the professionalism and reliability of the police in their efforts to identify the victims and support the families affected by the tragedy.
The Victim’s Background
Måns Loke Bernhardsson was a young man with a passion for life and a love for New Zealand. His family described him as "super kind and loveable" and a "fantastic artist" who was extremely talented and loved by his friends and family. Bernhardsson was travelling around New Zealand in a campervan with two friends on a hastily booked trip, and he had fallen in love with the country. His family said that he often told them that he would like to stay in New Zealand as long as possible. Bernhardsson was also an athletic person who loved downhill skiing and gymnastics, and his family will deeply miss his presence in their lives.
The Investigation and Rescue Efforts
The investigation into the landslide is ongoing, and the police have been working tirelessly to identify the victims and support the families affected. Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths told the court that Bernhardsson’s body was found on Saturday, and forensic dental examination and DNA had determined his identity. The rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have resumed after being paused for a second time when technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered. The first victim, Max Furse-Kee, was formally identified on Wednesday, which would have been his 16th birthday. The community has come together to support the families of the victims, and the local iwi and officials have also offered their condolences and support.
The Family’s Response
Bernhardsson’s family has expressed their gratitude for the support they have received from the community, officials, and people in Sweden. They said that they have received "overwhelming support" and want to express their gratitude to everyone who has reached out to them during this difficult time. The family is still trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved one, and they will deeply miss Bernhardsson’s presence in their lives. They described him as a "cherished member of our family" and said that it will be difficult to get used to not having him around.
The Community’s Response
The community has come together to support the families of the victims, and the local iwi and officials have also offered their condolences and support. The rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have been ongoing, and the police have been working tirelessly to identify the victims and support the families affected. The community has shown its resilience and compassion in the face of tragedy, and the support for the families of the victims has been overwhelming. The incident has also highlighted the importance of community and the need for support during difficult times.
Conclusion
The Mount Maunganui landslide has resulted in the loss of six lives, and the community is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy. The identification of Måns Loke Bernhardsson as one of the victims has brought some closure to his family, but the pain of their loss will still be felt for a long time. The community’s response to the tragedy has been overwhelming, and the support for the families of the victims has been a testament to the resilience and compassion of the people of New Zealand. As the investigation into the landslide continues, the community will continue to come together to support those affected and to try to make sense of the tragedy that has occurred.
