A landslide on the French Pacific island of Tahiti has claimed at least seven lives, with several others reported missing, local authorities confirmed on Thursday (27 November).
The disaster struck in the early hours of Wednesday following a week of heavy rainfall. The landslide, estimated at 30 metres in height, buried at least two homes and prompted the evacuation of nearby residents.
French Polynesia’s President, Moetai Brotherson, visited the site, stating that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
“The terrain is highly unstable, and the operation is extremely dangerous,” he said.
A crisis centre has been established at the French High Commission to coordinate rescue efforts, while psychological support units have been deployed to assist affected families.
Around 50 gendarmes and fire personnel are participating in the operation, using excavators, sniffer dogs, drones, underground cameras, radar, medical emergency teams, and an army helicopter. Search operations were temporarily suspended after a smaller secondary landslide posed a risk to rescue personnel but have since resumed.
Operations are expected to continue overnight, weather and terrain conditions permitting. Authorities have indicated that the search and rescue operation could take up to two days due to the instability of the terrain.
One of the missing is reportedly a child believed to be trapped under the rubble. The surrounding area remains cordoned off, and at least a dozen displaced residents have been temporarily housed in the local gymnasium.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to affected families via social media, noting the nation’s support for those impacted by the tragedy.
Tahiti is one of more than 100 islands that comprise French Polynesia. The island’s main hospital in Papeete has been placed on high alert to receive any potential survivors.
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