Mount Maunganui landslide: Who are the missing?

 A Rotorua grandmother and a Morrinsville literacy teacher are understood to be among the six missing presumed dead at the Mount Maunganui campground landslide, The Post understands.

Emergency services have confirmed a “recovery” phase is under way, after human remains were found at the site overnight. A painstaking operation was ongoing to try and recover the remaining victims.

Morrinsville Intermediate School principal Jenny Clark posted on Facebook on Saturday afternoon that the school was saddened to report that Literacy Centre tutor Lisa Maclennan was among the dead.

“We continue to hope and pray for Lisa.”

The school and Board of Trustees has been contacted for comment.

Susan Knowles, a grandmother and Rotorua-based property manager of two decades who is believed to be about 70, is among the missing.

Her husband Robin declined to comment. Gerald van der Meer from Eves Real Estate Rotorua branch where Knowles worked said she holidayed at the Mount every year, but declined to comment further.

 

Susan Knowles, a property manager based in Rotorua, is one of the victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide.[/caption]

One of the two women are believed to be one of the heroes seen by witnesses warning campers of the impending danger.

Another man who ran into the slip to save others was also credited as being a hero and is thought to be among the six missing.

As well, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Stuff one Swedish citizen was “unaccounted for in New Zealand”.

And Italian media were reporting that a 15-year-old girl, named as Sharon Maccanico, was missing in New Zealand, reportedly alongside her sibling.

Police said the names of the missing would be provided on Saturday.

 

Sharon Maccanico, 15 of Italy, is reported by Italian media to be one of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims. Supplied[/caption]

Worsening conditions were expected to hamper efforts on Saturday, with wind and rain forecast. Reporters at the scene on Saturday morning said conditions were overcast and winds are strong.

A cruise ship had docked. Cordons were still up, and there were security guards guarding it, after reports of people trying to breach the scene. Mayor Mahe Drysdale had rebuked this behaviour.

On Saturday morning there was a steady stream of cars driving past, with people taking photos. A group of women laid some flowers at the cordon.

 

People have come down to watch what’s happening behind the cordon, on Saturday. CHRISTEL YARDLEY[/caption]

The rising and falling arm of a digger could be seen in the distance, for a period of time earlier on Saturday.

On Thursday two bodies were also recovered from a home in Welcome Bay after a slip. It’s understood they were a grandmother and a child.

CRE: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360936716/mount-maunganui-landslide-who-are-missing