LOS ANGELES: At least eight people were killed and 18 were missing when a massive landslide slammed "like a freight train" into a mountainside community in the northwestern United States, rescue officials said late Sunday.
The wall of mud, rocks and trees smashed into the rural town of Oso, northeast of Seattle, on Saturday. Three people were reported dead shortly after and another body was pulled from the rubble earlier on Sunday.
Travis Hots, chief of the regional Snohomish County Fire districts, announced the higher toll at an area community meeting.
"I'm saddened to inform you that we have assured four additional fatalities," Hots told reporters. "It's very disappointing for all of the rescuers on the scene."
The field of rubble is about 2.4 kilometes (1.5 miles) across and some four to six (15-20 feet) deep in areas, The Seattle Times reported.
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