Hopes of finding any more survivors from a massive mudslide that killed at least eight people are waning after rescue crews worked through the night and pulled more bodies from the debris.
Search and rescue teams took to the air in helicopters and scoured the ground on foot yesterday looking for anyone who might still be alive after the tragedy in Washington state.
Their spirits had been raised late on Saturday when they heard voices calling for help from the flotsam of trees, dirt and wreckage. Dangerous conditions forced them to turn back in the darkness, but they resumed their work at first light yesterday.
"We didn't see or hear any signs of life out there today," Snohomish County Fire District 21 Chief Travis Hots said. "It's very disappointing to all emergency responders on scene."
Snohomish County Sheriff's Lieutenant Rob Palmer said four more bodies were discovered late yesterday. Earlier in the day, authorities said one body had been found on the debris field. Three people were already confirmed dead on Saturday.
More people remained missing, and authorities said the number was “fluid”.
Earlier yesterday, they said it was at least 18, but that count came before additional bodies were discovered.
The one square mile (2.5 sq km) mudslide also critically injured several people - including an infant - and destroyed about 30 homes.
Crews were able to get to the soupy, tree-strewn area that was 15ft (4.5m) deep in places yesterday after geologists flew over in a helicopter and determined it was safe enough for emergency responders and technical rescue personnel to search for survivors, Mr Hots said.
Before crews could get on to the debris field late yesterday morning, they looked for people by helicopter. Late on Saturday they heard people shouting for help but were unable to reach anyone. The mud was so thick and deep that searchers had to turn back.
The slide wiped through what neighbours described as a former fishing village of small homes — some nearly 100 years old.
Authorities believe the mudslide was caused by ground made unstable by recent heavy rain.
Bruce Blacker, who lives just west of the slide, does not know the whereabouts of six neighbours.
"It's a very close-knit community," he said as he waited at an Arlington roadblock before troopers let him through.
Mr Hots said searchers would continue their efforts through the difficult debris field.
“There may be people in their cars, there may be people in houses,” he said.
Agencies