U.S. mudslide death toll rises to 14, 176 reported missing

2014-03-25 234

The scale of the landslide becomes evident when seen by air.

This tangled waterlogged area of mud and debris is all that's left after a massive wall of earth collapsed close to the U.S. town of Oso in Washington State over the weekend.

The death toll has climbed to 14. Officials say 176 people are missing, although some are expected to overlap.

Search crews have worked day and night, in treacherous quick sand conditions.

But officials admit they have little hope of finding more survivors.

. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF TRAVIS HOTS, SNOHOMISH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, SAYING:

"We are still in rescue mode at this time. But the situation is very grim."

More than 100 properties were hit by the cascading mud but more people were concerned about finding their loved ones.

. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARBARA WALSH, HUSBAND IS MISSING, SAYING:

"I want to know where my husband is. You know, I just need to know.. and any updates."

But despite t

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