Afghanistan hosts national mourning for landslide victims

Yesterday, the Afghan government announced a national day of mourning to commemorate the victim of a terrible landslide in Ab Barik village in northern Badakhshan province.

>>>Landslide in Afghanistan killed 350 people and 2,000 people went missing

According to AFP news agency, rescue teams stopped the campaign to search for the missing person because of the mud and rock buried so close to the entire village.

Villagers dig up rocks to search for missing people in landslides - (Photo: Reuters)

Authorities say the official death toll is still 350, but it is likely that about 2,600 people died. When the first landslide occurred, 2,000 people were inside the house. About 600 people rushed to find ways to rescue them, the second landslide buried them. Badakhshan governor Shah Waliullah Adib admits there is no hope for the missing person.

'About 300 houses were completely destroyed, more than 1,000 families were affected' - UN Office for Humanitarian Coordination (UNOCHA) said. In particular, about 700 families had to leave their homes because fear of landslides could continue to occur. Aid organizations are now focused on supporting families of survivors. 'The scale of this landslide is horrifying and hundreds of families have lost everything. They need help " - International Organization for Migration (IOM) representative said.

UNOCHA says that survivors need fresh water, food, medicine and shelter. Local police have set up a security fence around the village to prevent the risk of disturbing terrorism. From the US, President Barack Obama declared US forces ready to participate in relief. NATO also said it would support if the Afghan government required it.