At least eight individuals have lost their lives due to a devastating landslide that struck Tahiti in Maohi Nui (French Polynesia) early Wednesday morning. The landslide, triggered by a week of heavy rainfall, buried homes under approximately 30 meters of soil, leaving several residents trapped.
Authorities quickly mobilized police and emergency services to initiate search and rescue operations. The area remains highly unstable, prompting evacuations of nearby residents as a precautionary measure. The emergency response is being orchestrated with a range of resources, including sniffer dogs, drones, underground cameras, radar, and even an army helicopter.
Territory President Moetai Brotherson visited the disaster site to assess the situation firsthand. Unfortunately, the operation to uncover potential survivors has been deemed extremely dangerous due to the ongoing instability of the area.
Among those unaccounted for is a child, who is believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, intensifying the urgency of the rescue efforts. The situation is dire, but search teams remain committed to locating and rescuing anyone who may still be alive in the aftermath of this tragic event.