New Zealand cancels rescue efforts for six missing after landslide

Rescue efforts for six missing people buried in a landslide in New Zealand on Thursday have been called off and are now turning to recovering the bodies, police said.

“Sadly, it is now clear that we will not be able to bring them home alive,” Anderson said, adding that formal identification efforts were underway.

Two teenagers, the youngest of whom is 15, are missing.

Police Chief Tim Anderson said search and rescue teams discovered human remains under mud and debris on Friday night after a landslide at a popular campsite in Mount Maunganui.

“This is heartbreaking news for these families and the dozens of people who are working day and night hoping for a positive outcome,” Anderson said.

Two people died – a grandmother and her grandson – in another landslide at Welcome Bay near Mount Maunganui, public service broadcaster Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported.

New Zealand’s North Island has been hit by heavy rain for several days, with wetter weather expected in the region over the weekend.

Police said the current conditions were making rescue efforts more difficult, describing the scene on Mount Maunganui as “extremely challenging … difficult to complete”.

Fire and emergency services worked through the night to locate those unaccounted for at the camp before officially handing the operation over to police on Saturday.

Anderson said the safety of workers on site is “paramount.”

Police have identified six missing persons by name: Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua and Susan Doreen, 71, from Ngotaha Knowles).

Police identified the youngest victims as 15-year-old Sharon Maccanico, from Auckland, and 15-year-old Max Furse-Kee, from Auckland.

Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton confirmed the identification process was underway but warned it could be “complex” and “painstaking”.

“We will work very carefully and as quickly as possible to reunite families,” she said.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site on Friday. He said it was “inspiring” to see the support from the community as locals helped clear debris from flood-hit areas.

Mount Maunganui is a sacred site to the Maori people and one of New Zealand’s most popular camping spots. In recent years, it has been hit by landslides many times.