There are at least 26 people and more than 200 people have been evacuated after massive clay sheets caused a devastating landslide in the Norwegian town of Ask, about 10 km north of Oslo, around 04:00 on Wednesday. At least ten people are being treated at a local hospital for injuries and several homes have been swept away. At least one person is in critical condition, authorities said.
“The situation is very dramatic. “There has been a major landslide and we are evacuating residents from the area,” local mayor Anders Østensen said on Wednesday morning. ‘Several of them have lost their homes and it’s going hard, of course. There are many who are very upset and scared. ”
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted her concerns. “It hurts to see how the forces of nature plagued Gjerdrum,” she wrote. “My thoughts are with all those affected by the landslide.”
The area around the village is known for its soft clay terrain that suddenly turns into liquid with fluctuating temperatures. Authorities are assessing whether it is safe for rescue workers to gain access to the area.
More to come …