New Zealand authorities are moving into a recovery and identification phase after a landslide struck a busy campground at Mount Maunganui on the North Island, with six people presumed dead following days of heavy rain.
Human remains were discovered beneath soil and debris, prompting police to formally call off rescue efforts and confirm that no signs of life had been detected since voices were heard shortly after the slide on Thursday.
The site in Tauranga was crowded with families on summer holidays when soil and rubble collapsed onto the campground, triggering an emergency response that continued through Friday night.
Police said conditions at the scene were dangerous and increasingly unstable, complicating efforts to search the affected area.
Authorities said recovery operations are now under way, with crews using heavy machinery to remove debris while monitoring safety risks.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that 35 crew members were working at the site after a partial slip occurred in the search area on Friday evening.
Further heavy rain forecast for the region could force crews to temporarily withdraw to protect worker safety.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson said, "Tragically it is now apparent that we will not be able to bring them home alive."
The operation was formally handed over to police on Saturday after emergency teams worked overnight to locate those unaccounted for.
Chief Coroner Anna Tutton said her office is leading the process to identify victims, describing the work as careful and complex.
“I can’t say how long the identification process will take - but I give my absolute assurance that we will work very carefully," Tutton said.
The six presumed dead include two teenagers aged 15, as well as adults ranging in age from 20 to 71, with one victim identified as a Swedish national.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site on Friday and met with families, calling the news devastating and urging national solidarity.
Authorities also confirmed that separate landslides linked to the same weather system have killed at least four people in nearby areas, underscoring the widening impact of the prolonged heavy rain.