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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Slide victims still feel insecure

It’s been a year since saturated ground literally gave way beneath a residential neighbourhood in Gjerdrum northeast of Oslo, destroying 31 homes, forcing the evacuation of 1,600 residents and killing 10 of them. Some still don’t feel safe in the area, as memorials in the small community got underway.

There’s still a huge and gaping hole in the area where the massive mud slide occurred in the middle of the night, moving some homes as far as 400 meters. The slide has been linked to erosion that in turn was tied to the re-routing of a creek in the area, but no blame has yet been placed on either local officials or homebuilders.

Around 200 people still have the status as evacuees, but it’s unlikely they’ll ever be able to move home again. Mayor Anders Østensen told news bureau NTB that it’s “painful to realize that some residents still don’t feel secure” and questions remain about how such a tragedy could occur.

All were invited to attend an outdoor torchlight gathering on Thursday, with bonfires and wreath-laying at a temporary memorial. Corona restrictions have restricted the program, but the local town hall was staying open from early morning until late at night, with volunteers serving coffee and waffles. A full report on the investigation into the cause of the slide is due in March.

newsinenglish.no staff

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