Rescuers say the chances of pulling any more survivors from a massive mudslide on the banks of the Stillaguamish River in Washington state are slim to none.
At least eight are confirmed dead and seven are in the hospital — including a 6-month-old baby who is still in critical condition, The Los Angeles Times reported. Another 18 are still missing.
Most of the surviving victims have “crushing injuries,” said Elizabeth Hunter, with the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, in The Los Angeles Times. “Basically, the people were swept away, pinned up against things, covered.”
Emergency responders said the missing aren’t likely to be discovered alive.
“I get a sense we’re going to have some hard news here,” Gov. Jay Inslee said at a news conference over the weekend.”
Statements from geologists and firefighters who combed the site on Sunday would seem to support the governor’s view.
“I’m disappointed to tell you, after searching a very large area of that debris field on foot, we didn’t find anybody alive,” said Travis Hots, chief of Snohomish County Fire District 21, in The Los Angeles Times. “There was no sign of life.”
Officials say the Saturday mudslide is almost as devastating as the Mount St. Helens eruption that occurred 34 years ago.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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