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Friday, February 24, 2006
UN official says likelihood of landslide survivors is remote (12:50 p.m.)
GUINSAUGON -- There is little likelihood of finding survivors in a farming village that was buried in a landslide a week ago, and recovery teams should shift their efforts to helping people who lost their homes in the disaster, a UN official said Friday.
"This kind of disaster leaves a very small chance of survival, that's a reality. If there is one or two, it would be a miracle," said Puji Pujiono, leader of the United Nations disaster assessment and coordination team at the site.
"Taking care of those still alive is equally or more important than prolonging the (search) operation," he said.
Pujiono urged the Philippine government to make a list of needs for the hundreds of evacuees so other countries could coordinate donations, and warned of the threat of disease and overcrowding for those who lost their homes. Many are staying in schools in the nearby town of St. Bernard.
No survivors have been found in the farming village of Guinsaugon in the southeastern Philippines since hours after it was buried Feb. 17 in mud up to 35 meters (100 feet) deep. The official death toll stood at 129 with another 938 missing.
Still, rescue workers took advantage of clearing skies, launching their biggest operation so far at the site of a village that was buried by a landslide a week ago, the US military said. A brief downpour temporarily slowed their work. (AP)
Rescuers step up search at landslide site (10:35 a.m.) |
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