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Just after 09:00 on Thursday, they are still searching for 10 people in the area of the landslide.
– There are many assessments that need to be taken, especially regarding the crew’s own safety, says Task Leader Roger Pettersen.
It says that the Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) is working to find out when evacuees can move home. That work is still in progress.
Task leader Roger Pettersen briefs the press on the latest news from the landslide in Gjerdrum.
Photo: Ole Berg-rest / NTBPhoto: Ole Berg-rest / NTB
So far, more than 1,000 people have been evacuated.
– Release fireworks
Pettersen comes with a strong call to launch fireworks near the landslide area on New Years Eve.
– Rockets and fireworks are a risk to air resources. Don’t use the fireworks until 11pm, it says.
It emphasizes that they are looking for survivors.
– We keep that opportunity open, we believe it is real. We are looking for survivors. This is a rescue operation, says Pettersen.
31 homes have collapsed
A total of 31 residential units and 9 buildings collapsed after the landslide more than 24 hours ago.
– 10 people have yet to be counted, says director of operations Karianne Knudsen in the Eastern Police District.
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This is how the police search for survivors
The search for people has been carried out throughout the night by helicopter and drone.
A rescuer, a dog handler and a sniffer dog have also been to the area of the landslide to search for survivors. They are currently without result.
The search has lasted all night. Rescue attempts have been made with a tracking dog, still without success.
Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes / NRK
Risk of multiple landslides
– There is no information at the moment that there are movements in the landslide, says Pettersen.
NVE regional manager Toril Hofshagen says there is still a risk of more landslides.
– What makes it dangerous is both the reason and the risk that new landslides may occur. There are still scales in the landslide area, she says.
There are still buildings that are completely on the edge.
– If they rage in the next few hours, it is an expected incident, said police operations chief Dag Andre Sylju on Thursday morning.
Task leader Dag Andre Sylju says rescue teams are hoping to find people alive.
Photograph: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTBPhotograph: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
Throughout the morning, geologists will drill into the ground elsewhere to exclude or find areas prone to landslides.
As of now, it is not possible to enter the landslide zone.
In the groundwork, NVE has investigated the possibility of using the road in the southwest part of the evacuated area.
They are now in the final phase of this work and hope to make further recommendations to the emergency services during the day.
Two races on Wednesday night
The weather conditions of the place make the search difficult. It has also been a challenge to look in the dark.
Police and other rescue personnel have had trouble entering the vulnerable area due to the danger of further landslides. Therefore, the search has been carried out mainly from the air.
Gjerdrum is an area that is particularly exposed to rapid clay landslides.
The map shows where the landslide occurred on Wednesday night. A large area around the landslide has been evacuated.
– There is no assessment now that we can enter the area with many crews and search, says Operations Manager Knudsen.
There have been no new landslides since around 11pm last night. Two buildings collapsed at that time.
At 09.30 on Thursday, Hofshagen at NVE says that the weather will not significantly affect our work, as the weather forecast is now.
Due to difficult weather conditions and the risk of several landslides, the search has been carried out mainly from the air. The search has lasted all night.
Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes
– save
Gjerdrum Mayor Anders Østensen says Thursday morning that it has been a day marked by strong emotions.
On Wednesday, he met with evacuees to answer questions. He also met with relatives of those who have not been counted.
– They are very scared and anxious about what the result will be. The hope is that they will find them alive or stay somewhere other than the area of the landslide, says the mayor.
Mayor Andersen Østensen has had contact with evacuees and relatives after the landslide.
Photograph: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
Found with heat search chamber
During the last 24 hours, several residents of the area have been evacuated. The helicopters are equipped with heat search cameras.
– Has the heat search chamber helped save lives?
– Yes, I would say that. But it is a concerted effort that has saved our lives today. The heat search chamber is one of our tools, operations manager Roger Pettersen told NRK on Wednesday.
Rescuers are working in the area where the landslide occurred in Gjerdrum early Wednesday morning.
Photo: Cicilie Andersen
Rescuers are using Sea King helicopters to rescue people from the avalanche.
Photo: Cicilie S. Andersen / NRK
The emergency services have sent large resources to the accident site in Gjerdrum
Photo: Cicilie S. Andersen / NRK
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The «Zajka» family dog (10) rescued from the avalanche in Gjerdrum
Braking braked before the dive
Even Nygaard Østreng was among those who had to flee when the landslide occurred. He was driving through the area and had to brake hard to prevent the car from falling off the cliff.
– When I take the break and get out of the car, they have disappeared 10-20 meters from the road in front of us. A waterfall of dirt, stone and clay floated past, he says.
Østreng had three passengers in the car, and all four of them ran as fast as they could to get away from the landslide.
The car had to be left on the edge when the avalanche broke out Wednesday night. The four passengers managed to escape to safety.
Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB
Among the largest landslides of recent times
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Soccer fans collect clothing for landslide victims
The landslide that struck the area Wednesday night is described as one of the largest in recent times.
Gjerdrum locals have joined in the last 24 hours. Many help those who are now homeless. Several loads of clothing have been donated.
Tony Johansen is the leader of the Kanarifansen support group, which coordinates an aid campaign.
Photo: Peter Von Tangen-Jordan
