The death toll of people killed in the Monday landslide disaster at Saki in the Goilala District of Central Province stands at thirteen after two bodies were recovered – This is the official confirmation of the exact number of people in the area buried by the landslide.
So far, two bodies have been retrieved. Recovery work has been slow as well due to the enormity of the disaster.
The work on clearing the debris from the landslide to as part of the search and rescue operations to recover bodies continues currently with people using whatever tools they have available to dig the earth.
Meanwhile the Member for Goilala, William Samb, travelled in yesterday to establish details on what had occurred, assess the damages, and find out how many lives have been affected by this disaster.
Mr. Samb through his office including the Central Provincial Government, have organized for basic tools like spades, axes and bush knives, and several chainsaws among other things to be flown in to clear the aftermath of the landslip to recover the bodies of those buried beneath.
So far most of the tools have been delivered by a charter with more tools and rations of food expected to arrive in the days ahead.
Goilala District Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Jerry Tamatae and Central Province Disaster Officer Joe Gaida have also arrived at the disaster site.
Central Province Governor, Robert Agarobe, is expected to join Mr. Samb tomorrow to further assess the damage and work towards recovering the rest of the bodies and finding a way forward to repatriate bodies back to their home villages across Goilala.
