Heavy rains trigger fatal landslide in Afaahiti–Taravao, Tahiti
A major landslide caused by days of heavy rain hit Afaahiti-Taravao in southeast Tahiti at around 05:00 LT on November 26, 2025, burying several homes, and leaving at least 7 people dead and several missing, including one child.
Heavy rains triggered fatal landslide in Afaahiti–Taravao, Tahiti on November 26, 2025. Credit: La1ère (stillshot)
The landslide struck in the Te Honu district, following several days of intense rainfall that saturated the steep volcanic slopes of Tahiti Iti. The slide destroyed multiple houses and triggered additional slope failures during ongoing rescue work, forcing teams to halt operations several times due to continuing instability.
About 50 gendarmes, firefighters, and medical personnel were deployed to the site, supported by drones, underground cameras, radar equipment, sniffer dogs, and a French Army helicopter.
The affected zone was sealed off to the public, and roughly a dozen residents from nearby homes were evacuated and temporarily housed in the municipal gymnasium. A crisis center was activated at the High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia to coordinate rescue and emergency operations
The main hospital in Papeete was placed on high alert to receive possible survivors, while authorities estimated that search operations could continue for up to 48 hours, depending on weather and terrain stability.
Deux éboulements ont eu lieu à Afaahiti, sur l'île de Tahiti. Le bilan provisoire fait état de sept victimes. Une enquête pour homicide involontaire a été ouverte. Le point avec @la1ere et @Polynesiela1ere pic.twitter.com/jcg7bCO1Qm
— La1ère.fr (@la1ere) November 27, 2025
Meteorological authorities reported that the landslide followed a period of very heavy rainfall between November 24 and 27, with localized accumulations exceeding 200 mm (8 inches) over 24 hours in southern Tahiti Iti. The combination of steep slopes and saturated soils created highly unstable conditions that led to the collapse.
Tahiti’s humid tropical climate and rugged terrain make it highly prone to rainfall-induced landslides.
Studies by the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) and Météo-France Polynésie indicate that rainfall totals between 150 and 250 mm (6–10 inches) within a 24-hour period can trigger slope failure in the Tahiti Iti region. Past events include the December 2020 Hitiaa O Te Rā landslide and multiple incidents recorded during the 2017 rainy season.
Weather forecasts call for light to moderate rainfall by Thursday evening, November 27, but no new major downpours are expected.
Authorities urge residents to be aware that the terrain in the affected area remains unstable and that access will remain restricted until further notice.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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