– A bad feeling – VG

The prime minister and the minister were briefed on the work that is being carried out after the fast clay race in Gjerdrum on Wednesday morning.

– This is a disaster. It is one of the most important races we have ever had and with the greatest consequences, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Wednesday afternoon.

During a press conference after the briefing with emergency services and volunteers in Gjerdrum, Solberg says he has gotten a feel for the work that is being done.

– It is a dramatic experience to be here, both to see images of the accident scene, of the entire landslide, and of course to know that there are several that have not yet been accounted for. It’s not certain they are in the landslide, but it always gives us a bad feeling when there are so many of us who still don’t know anything, says Solberg.

The campsite at the landslide is still not safe and there is still a landslide, many hours after the first.

– What is impressive is knowing that there are probably people down here that you cannot enter and save in the usual way. There are an incredible amount of resources here that would like to get in and get people out, but that’s not possible now, says Solberg.

She says that from talking to resources on the site, it’s clear that more people wish they could enter the areas.

– It can take days before things stabilize, and it is difficult when there are large resources of help here that cannot enter because it is unstable. There are things that are done now with rescue helicopters that are also risky, but the plan here is that they last as long as they can.

He receives the support of the Minister of Justice, who has the same opinion after the meeting.

– My impression is that enormous resources have been invested, there is a safe and good management and everyone works well together. The impression here is that people want to be able to do more, but it is not possible because of the weather, the wind and the landslides, says Mæland.

There are still 21 people who have not been counted. Police have deployed additional investigative resources to find out if they were in the houses when the landslide occurred.

– There may be fatalities and there may be people still in the landslide. At the same time, it is not safe as it is New Years weekend and people may be elsewhere. So part of the work that’s being done now is checking where people are, so the worst isn’t right, says Solberg.

At the same time, she expresses pity for those who have now lost their homes and fears for their loved ones.

– We have a lot of compassion for family members, it is painful and difficult not to know. I want to tell the relatives that we think of them, that everyone in Norway thinks of them, both those who have lost their homes and those who are waiting for an answer.

– I was very impressed talking to those who woke up to the sound of helicopters or had to jump out of their houses, Solberg tells VG.

After meeting with emergency personnel, he also spoke with evacuees who had gathered at the Olavsgaard Hotel. He praises the effort that has been made, with the opening of a closed hotel and that there is always hot coffee for those who have lost everything.

– Last night’s experience is hard, and not least the uncertainty about the future. If they can go back, if they want to go back, it is difficult, says the prime minister after the meeting.

He adds that it will take time before you can go back, and that she has understood, so many have known that there was clay in the area.

– But how dangerous it was is probably more of a question, she says.