. The search for three missing people in Tokagjelselva continues. Police hope daylight will help them in their search. On Monday morning, more funds will be allocated to the rescue operation in the Kvam commune in Hardanger, which continues from 21:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.
Rescue operation in Hardanger
The action began after the emergency services were notified that a small boat with three adults and a dog had been hijacked by a current in Tokagjelselva. At a press meeting on Monday morning at 9 am, the police say the search is in full swing. Unfortunately, however, there is no new information on the accident.
"We now have a couple of dog patrols, a lot of rescue dogs, we have a drone that took off, and an Alpine and Water Rescue Team," says Atle Birkeland, action manager for the Western Police District.
Undoubtedly, the low fog makes it difficult to fly a helicopter over the river.
- It looks bad at the moment. Last night it was dark, wet, a lot of wind and rain, all in all very demanding conditions. Additionally, low fog makes it difficult to fly close to the river. However, we hope the daylight will help find new clues that could lead to a breakthrough, says Birkeland.
Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB
3 missing persons, 50 rescue teams involved in the operation.
About 50 teams are involved in the rescue operation, including the Red Cross. Police are concerned that three people have disappeared into a large and steep waterfall. The background to these suspicions is the information they received from the person who reported the incident.
- It is a large waterfall about 15 meters high, says Birkeland.
Relatives have been notified and are under the care of the services. The missing people are Norwegians, two adult men and one adult woman. According to police findings, they are not permanent residents of the area. According to police information, the three people have a close relationship and were on their way to the holiday home.
- The person who reported the matter to us knows the missing persons personally, says the action manager.
At night, the emergency services searched the water. The police confirm that the oars from the boat were found.
- Permanent observation points on the bridges along the river have been manned. While there was a small, more limited search along the river, duty officer Ronald Drotningsvik said at 6am after a nightly search.
Bergen commune director Trine Samuelsen informs that the commune is assisting with diving rescue and USAR crews who have mastered work in particularly dangerous areas. In addition, they maneuver the drone used in the rescue operation.
Also read our other article: A four-year-old lonely and cold in a street in Bergen
Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB
Update. 11:15
A boat has been found under the waterfall at Tokagjelet in Kvam, where three missing persons are being searched for. This was reported by the police in a press release. Neither of the three people nor the dog have been found. It was the crew of the Alpine rescue group that found the boat under the waterfall, the height of which is estimated at 15 meters.
