‘You can see bodies sticking out of the mud’

The death toll from a massive mudslide in Washington state rose to 14 and, with 176 people still missing, officials fear that number could grow. Video from Associated Press.

Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary surveys the wreckage of homes destroyed in Saturday's mudslide, Monday, March 24, 2014. Source: AP

IT IS a race against time as authorities drag lifeless bodies from the river of mud in a small US town.

A tire and other house debris is seen next to the mudslide on Highway 530. Source: AP

On Saturday, a tsunami of six-metres of debris and sludge plummeted down a slope in Oso, Washington state, taking out 49 homes and killing 16 people. Another eight bodies have been found, but not yet recovered.

An intact house sits at left at the edge of hell. Source: AP

Families are desperately trying to dig out their loved ones as the hope of finding anyone alive fades quickly.

A house is seen destroyed in the mud on Highway 530. Source: AP

In a town of only 180 people, there are 170 people missing under the rubble. If fears of the mass deceased are correct, it will almost wipe out the entire town.

Flowers are left on debris next to a demolished home where a woman's body was found following the deadly mudslide. Source: AP

Three days on, officials insist finding survivors is still possible, even though none have been found since Saturday.

A searcher pokes through a bank on a debris field. Source: AP

"I believe in miracles and I believe people can survive these events," said emergency management chief John Pennington. "They've done it before, they can do it again."

Search and rescue personnel continue looking for bodies in the aftermath. Source: AP

One resident, Gene Karger, watched as other locals were discovered in the remnants of the mudslide. He watched rescue workers mark dead bodies with orange flags.

A resident walks across the rubble. Source: AP

"You see parts of their bodies sticking out of the mud. It's real hard. It's that bad," Karger said. "There are people out there we know," he told the NY Times.

The search for survivors of the deadly mudslide grew to include scores of people who were still unaccounted for. Source: AP

The mudslide came out of nowhere on Saturday morning, with many at home when the wave of junk hit their houses.

BEFORE: Google Maps show the lush landscape before the horror. Source: Supplied

AFTER: The path of destruction left by the mudslide. Source: AP

Becky Bach, said she had relatives missing in the tragedy, including her brother and his wife.

"We have four of them missing," she said, trying to hold back tears. "They're telling us that they're not seeing anything alive out there. At this point we just want closure. We want some bodies."

A child's bicycle was left behind as the river of mud smashed the town. Source: AP

Ms Bach's niece, Andrea Hulme, is refusing to give up hope.

"Everyone is saying they're only going to be recovering bodies, but no one is looking because they say it's not safe," Ms. Hulme said. "I'm not capable of saying they are dead right now.

Water and mud back up. Source: AP

They could be dead — but I'm not going to think that until I'm shown they are dead. I just don't think we should give up hope, because it's possible they're out there."

Footprints from searchers remain in mud, as they desperately hunt for survivors. Source: AP

"I'm hearing that people are going in there to try to dig out their family members. I'd be doing that if I could get there. It's my family. I'm willing to risk my life to try to save them. I know how strong each of them are, and they're probably trying to dig their way out, or waiting for help."

Rescue workers remove one of a number of bodies from the wreckage. Source: AP

Authorities said it was still a rescue mission but hope was fading that anyone would be found alive.

The slide of mud, trees and rocks took out everything in its path. Source: AP

The local fire chief said: "The situation is very grim. We're still holding out hope that we're going to be able to find people that may still be alive. But keep in mind we have not found anybody alive on this pile since Saturday."

A reflector is seen in the debris slowly flowing down the Stillaguamish River. Source: AP

In 2006, the same slide also collapsed sending a torrent of rocks, trees and dirt smashing into homes.

Where the mudslide came from. Source: NewsComAu

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