Mt Maunganui landslide: Police warn families the rescue could take 'days'

A rescue operation is still underway at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park after being struck by a serious landslide, leaving multiple people - including at least one child - unaccounted for among the ruins.

Emergency services were called to the camping grounds just after 9:30am Thursday, now marking 24 hours since the slip, which makes every minute waiting even more crucial for the families affected.

This morning, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says rescue efforts are being made incredibly difficult by the sheer scale of the slip, warning it could take days for teams to safely reach those missing.

"It could be days, and we appreciate that everybody is anxious and waiting for their loved ones, and for some answers, but we also have to be very careful," Chambers said via NZ Herald.

We’re working really hard with them to give them answers as quickly as we possibly can.

Police have since issued a notice on their website, encouraging anyone concerned about friends or family to report them missing.

Alternatively, if you live in the region, you can also mark yourself safe to help aid in the concerns for those unaccounted for.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence has also urged locals to check in on one another.

“A quick message, a simple wave or lending a hand to your neighbour could make all the difference,” they wrote in a regional Facebook post.

For many of us, today will be a return to normal, but for some, these events are life-altering. Our thoughts are with all those and their whānau who have been impacted, as well as the emergency services responding to the event.

Strong winds are expected throughout today across the weekend and are expected to remain through the weekend.

We are sending all of our love and thoughts to those impacted by this tragic weather event, and hope everyone in the region remains safe as the nasty weather continues.

Main image credit: 1News