Landslide destroys house in New Zealand, killing 1

KAITERITERI, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) -- More than 18 hours of heavy rain triggered a large landslide on the South Island of New Zealand on Sunday afternoon, destroying a house and killing one person inside, police said. Two other houses nearby were evacuated as a precaution.

The incident occurred at around 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday when a landslide, covering an area about 200 meters (218 yards) long, hit near a road near Kaiteriteri, a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand. It happened after more than 18 hours of heavy rainfall in the region.

Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed of Nelson Police said first responders found a badly damaged house when they arrived at the scene. "One wall and the roof was all that remained of the house and neighbors were attempting to find the woman, who was the sole occupant of the house," he said.

Koefoed said the body of the victim, who was identified as 63-year-old Jude Hivon, was discovered partially submerged in the mud.

As a precaution, police and search-and-rescue staff evacuated two neighboring properties after the landslide, which came down behind the house that was destroyed and struck the rear of the property. "Local Civil Defence have activated and are managing road closures and monitoring river levels," Koefoed added.

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