The flicker of hope has been extinguished in New Zealand. Authorities have officially transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery operation at the Mount Maunganui landslide site, confirming that the six people missing beneath the mountains of mud and debris are deceased. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains, has shocked the quiet holiday town and left the nation in mourning.

The tragedy struck on Thursday morning when a sodden hillside collapsed onto a busy campsite, crushing caravans, tents, and a shower block where holidaymakers were starting their day. For two days, specialist teams with sniffer dogs and listening devices scoured the unstable terrain, hoping for a miracle. On Saturday morning (New Zealand time), Police Superintendent Tim Anderson delivered the news everyone dreaded: "It is now highly unlikely that anyone could have survived."

A Scene of Devastation

Human remains were located on Friday night, confirming the worst fears of the families waiting at the cordon. The victims include a 15-year-old teenager, a heartbreaking reminder of the indiscriminate nature of natural disasters. "The conditions are incredibly dangerous," Supt Anderson said. "There is still a lot of mud moving. My primary consideration now is the safety of the staff working to bring these people home to their families."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site, describing the event as a "profound tragedy" that has left New Zealand "heavy with grief." He met with the families of the victims, offering the condolences of a nation that is all too familiar with the wrath of nature, following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle just a few years ago.

• The Victims: While names have not been officially released, police confirmed the six unaccounted for include tourists and locals enjoying the summer holidays. Families from Auckland and Rotorua are among those keeping a painful vigil.
• The Climate Factor: The landslide followed days of extreme rainfall that battered the North Island, causing flash floods and power outages. Climate scientists warn that such events are becoming more frequent and severe due to global warming.
• The Recovery Timeline: Chief Coroner Anna Tutton warned that the identification process would be "painful and lengthy." The recovery could take several days as heavy machinery must be used with extreme caution to preserve the dignity of the victims.

"We Heard Screaming"

Survivors painted a harrowing picture of the moments after the slip. Mark Tangney, a hiker near the site, told local media he heard "people screaming from under the rubble" for about 30 minutes before the voices fell silent. "We tried to dig with our hands, but the mud was like concrete," he said, fighting back tears.

As the recovery team begins its grim task, the focus shifts to supporting the bereaved. In churches and maraes across New Zealand, prayers are being offered for the six souls who went to sleep on a holiday and never woke up. For the global community, it is a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the face of an increasingly volatile climate.