Sri Lanka says finding survivors among 99 missing doubtful
AGALAWATTE, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s military said Saturday that it is doubtful any missing people will be found alive two days after torrents of mud triggered by heavy rain covered homes in southern and western parts of the country, killing 100 people and leaving 99 others missing.
The Disaster Management Center said more than 27,000 people have been displaced by the landslides.
“I have my doubts” that any survivors will be found, said army Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe, who is heading the search and rescue mission. He said that mounds of earth and rocks crashed down in such a way that people could hardly survive, and that most of the affected places were still inundated.
“In landslides, it’s difficult to find survivors after two days, and today is the second day,” Ranasinghe said.