Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA

1,400 Guatemalans Missing; 618 Confirmed Dead
Agence France Presse
Sunday October 9, 2005

A frantic search for about 1,400 people believed to be buried alive by a mudslide in Guatemala was continuing as the death toll from massive floods throughout Central America and Mexico rose to a staggering 618. The towns of Panabaj and Tzanchaj, 180 kilometers (110 miles) west of Guatemala City, were hit by the mudslide triggered by rain from Tropical Storm Stan before dawn Wednesday, when soil loosened by days of driving rain began rushing down the slopes of the San Lucas volcano.

"I don't believe there are survivors. Already 36 hours have passed. According to estimates we have, 1,400 people were trapped there," Mario Cruz, a firefighters' spokesman, told AFP on Sunday. If those fears are confirmed, Guatemala's death toll could soar close to 2,000. The official count stood at 508 Saturday, up from 176 a day earlier after rescue workers discovered hundreds more bodies.  Many of the victims were indigenous people who lived along the banks of Lake Atitlan, in the west of the country. Tonnes of soil poured down the sides of the mountains surrounding the lake. Most roads to the isolated area were impassable, and helicopter flights were hampered by driving rain falling for an eighth day onto waterlogged ground.

Guatemalan President Oscar Berger made an impassioned plea to the diplomatic corps in his country's capital late Friday for international assistance, estimating agricultural losses at 135 million dollars. But he did not hold out much hope to his compatriots. "I believe we are in for more unpleasant surprises," Berger said. "Many people remain missing. There have been many mudslides, and many communities remain cut off."

The United States, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Canada and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration pledged help. Norway's Ambassador Rolf Berg requested a detailed needs assessment to best help the estimated 1.8 million Guatemalans affected by the storm.

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