Search efforts are ongoing in Bay of Plenty following land slips overnight and this morning.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says two rescue operations are concurrently running at Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay Road.
“Police, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, are working to locate and rescue people trapped in a landslide, which occurred at the base of Mount Maunganui at 9:30am today.
“Work is also continuing to locate two people unaccounted for after a slip came down onto properties on Welcome Bay Road overnight.”
Patrons of the Mount Maunganui campsite have been evacuated and directed to the nearby Surf Club.
Police are urging members of the public to avoid Mount Maunganui as emergency services work in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
“The last thing we need is anyone else taking unnecessary risks and putting themselves in harm’s way,” Superintendent Anderson says.
Multiple roads around Bay of Plenty remain closed, and people are advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Superintendent Anderson says he commends the bravery shown by Police staff responding to these events.
“We have already seen countless examples over the last 24 hours of Police staff putting their lives at risk to protect members of the public.
“A number of additional staff were rostered to work overnight to assist with evacuations and our emergency response.
“This community is very tight-knit, and now more than ever, we need to band together to support one another.
“We’re asking people to reach out to anyone they know in the Bay of Plenty to ensure they are safe and well.
“If you cannot get hold of somebody, or are worried about them, you can contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz”
People can report themselves safe via the Police website here.
If you or anybody else is in a life-threatening situation, please call 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
