After first estimates spoke of at least 170 people missing after the landslides on Saturday in a rural community near Oso, Washington authorities reduced the number to 90 and 35 they're not sure were at the place when the incident happened, while the number of fatal victims has gone up to 25.
Almost a week after a landslide took place on Saturday in the rural area of state route 530 over an area of 1.6 square km, community members gathered on Wednesday night to pray for the missing, as they expect a "small miracle" to allow to find them alive, according to Reuters.
Despite this, the first five days of search have been slowed down by rain and bad weather, which has created more risk for rescue crews who continue to search for survivors.
"We know that most of us, I believe, have accepted that a lot of our people are not going to make it. But please, we need a miracle, just one. A small miracle would be wonderful, said Megan Fanning to Reuters during the prayer on Wednesday night in Darrington, near Oso.
Meanwhile, rescue teams, supported by dogs and excavators began their sixth day of searching, checking wood and mud piles; however, as time goes on, the families and rescue teams are accepting that there is less hope to hold on to in a disaster which will probably claim the bodies of dozens of people who might never be found.
Authorities are sure that the number of bodies found in the area will rise in the coming hours; however, the acknowledgement that some people will not be able to bury a body becomes clearer as time passes, reported Fox News.
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