Advertisement

24 confirmed dead, 22 missing in Washington mudslide

Snohomish County, Wash., officials identify 17 of 24 dead and say 22 remain unaccounted for.

By Danielle Haynes
Search and rescue personnel work near the plateau above the soggy hillside on March 27, 2014 in Oso, Washington. Over 200 search and rescue personnel continue to search for survivors or bodies in the aftermath of Saturday's mudslide that buried the town of Oso, about 12 miles west of Darrington. As of Thursday, there are 25 dead and 90 missing. UPI/Ted Warren/Pool
Search and rescue personnel work near the plateau above the soggy hillside on March 27, 2014 in Oso, Washington. Over 200 search and rescue personnel continue to search for survivors or bodies in the aftermath of Saturday's mudslide that buried the town of Oso, about 12 miles west of Darrington. As of Thursday, there are 25 dead and 90 missing. UPI/Ted Warren/Pool | License Photo

Snohomish County authorities raised the death toll to 24 in the mudslide that buried about a square mile on the Stillaguamish River last week.

As of Monday morning, officials had identified 17 of the 24 victims.

Advertisement

Search crews believe 22 people are still missing in the mud, up to 4 feet deep in spots, that blocked a highway and dammed a river.

Meanwhile, volunteers searching the mud are encountering toxic sewage, household solvents, gas, oil and other hazardous substances, said Steve Harris, division supervisor for the eastern incident management team in Darrington, Wash.

At the end of each day, search crew members and any personal affects they find in the debris must be decontaminated. Officials are concerned about possible incidents of dysentery and tetanus.

[Snohomish, Wash., County] [Seattle Times] [KIRO-TV, Seattle]

Latest Headlines