At least 26 people are missing and more than 200 people were evacuated after a huge layer of clay caused a devastating landslide in the Norwegian village of Ask, about 10 miles north of Oslo, around 4 am on Wednesday market. At least 10 people are being treated for injuries at a local hospital and several houses have been swept away. At least one person is in critical condition, officials said.
“The situation is very dramatic. There was a major landslide and we are in the process of evacuating the residents of the area, ”said local mayor Anders Østensen on Wednesday morning. “Several of them have lost their homes and, of course, are going through a difficult period. There are many who are very upset and scared. “
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted her concern. “It hurts to see how the forces of nature devastated Gjerdrum,” she wrote. “My thoughts go out to everyone affected by the landslide.”
The area around the village is known for its soft clay terrain that suddenly becomes liquid as the temperature fluctuates. Authorities are assessing whether it is safe for rescue workers to access the area.
More to come …