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CONTINUE THE SEARCH: Using high-tech search equipment such as drones and thermal cameras, the rescue team will continue the search operation overnight. Photo: Kyrre Lien, VG
GJERDRUM (VG) The search for survivors of the Gjerdrum landslide does not stop tonight. The next night hours can be crucial to save the last disappeared: – We continue with full force during the night.
Ground crews who have been searching for survivors of the Gjerdrum landslide since early Wednesday morning have had a demanding job, and conditions have not improved.
Throughout Wednesday, however, the number of missing has been steadily decreasing. At 23 o’clock on Wednesday night, there are only 10 people who are no longer counted, compared to 26 people on Wednesday.
Read also: We know this about the landslide
It is not known if rescue teams have picked up anyone from the area of the landslide.
Despite the fact that time is ticking and the darkness of the night makes the search work difficult, the police are still hopeful.
– We continue with full force during the night, said task leader Dag André Sylju at 11 pm on Wednesday night, emphasizing once again that they are still looking for survivors.
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Police confirm that they are “fairly certain” that there are people in the area of the landslide, and that although the search has narrowed somewhat after dark, they will continue to search during the night.
Here’s what we know about the overnight search through Thursday.
The map shows where the landslide has gone and which houses have been affected. Late Wednesday night, police claim the landslide took over four more buildings, but we don’t know where. Photo: Einar Otto Stangvik
Drones and thermal imaging cameras: how technology can save lives
The very epicenter of the landslide, where survivors are expected to be found, is still known as the red zone.
This means that rescue teams cannot travel by land in the area and therefore search methods are limited.
In general, the search will continue to be conducted using helicopters and drones, as well as heat search cameras.
– Due to the weather and light conditions, we will prioritize the use of a drone at night, said the leader of the police task Dag André Sylju, at 10 pm on Wednesday.
An hour later, he said police will continue to continually consider helicopter dog gear down in areas that are deemed safe.
Sylju says they will also use listening posts to detect signs of life in the area of the landslide.
The drones that will search at night have night optics and a camera that allows them to see the heat. They also send high resolution images of the landslide area that will be continuously analyzed, also by the landslide and landslide experts at NVE and NGI.
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At least one helicopter with a beacon will hover over the landslide area at night and scan the scene continuously to monitor the landslide and possibly find people there.
The leader of the police task force, Roger Pettersen, explained around 8 p.m. Wednesday that a heat search chamber had helped save lives during the rescue operation.
– we are ready tonight
Ask health team task leader in Gjerdrum, André Tiller, says that as long as this is described as a rescue operation, the rescue team will not give up.
– We are ready tonight. We have a built-in force here that allows us to respond on very short notice if necessary, says Tiller.
– There is a search in progress that will continue throughout the night. For the health service, it’s about being prepared. If we are lucky enough to find someone, we will be prepared, repeat.
It is primarily the police who describe the operation as a rescue operation.
– You say you are still working on a rescue operation and there is still hope. How long is there hope, do you think?
– When it comes to people in the landslide area, there are many associated variables. We cannot conclude that either there is life there or it is not; The effort is made in order to save lives, COO Gisle Sveen tells VG.
Remember that there is still a rescue operation in full swing. From Sweden, a special team with three vehicles and seven operators has been requisitioned. They are not currently used. Not all dog equipment has been used either.
– It is a rescue operation that is being carried out in all seriousness, and we fear that there are people in the landslide. We will always use the most appropriate resources. The challenge is that there is also danger for rescue teams, he says.
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– What will be important to the police tonight?
– It is to monitor the landslide site for signs or indications of someone alive in the area of the landslide. The resources needed to capture it are put into action and will be established throughout the night, Sveen emphasizes.
Also, close contact with NVE (Norwegian Directorate for Energy and Water Courses) and the geologist will remain central overnight.
