Source: Radio New Zealand
Earlier this afternoon, a gazebo was erected on the Mt Maunganui slip site and a crew in white suits continued work on the ground nearby, while diggers stopped for about half an hour. Nick Monro/RNZ
Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following a deadly slip have been paused for a second time.
In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.
It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.
Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.
Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.
“The systems installed are designed to trigger any potential land movements, and excess water within the scene,” Warner said.
“Geotechnical experts will now conduct a thorough examination of the area before clearance to return to work is given.
“All staff working at the scene have been withdrawn, pending further assessments.”
Warner said police would give an update when it was able to.
Over the weekend, work was halted for about 24 hours due to a potential slip occurring.
At the time, police said the victim’s families were understandably frustrated by the delay in the recovery work but they understood why it needed to happen.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
