Death toll from Guatemala mudslide rises to 263

October 12th, 2015 (EFE) Emergency management authorities in Guatemala announced Saturday that 263 people have now been confirmed killed in the mudslide that buried a small settlement near the capital last Oct. 1.

Volunteer firefighters’ spokesman Julio Sanchez said in a statement to reporters that some 357 rescue workers are back on the job and renewed their search of the area this Saturday morning.

The affected area, located in Santa Catarina Pinula municipality, had been divided into five sections to speed up the work of the rescue brigades, but, Sanchez added briefly, this Saturday they have been reduced to three.

Several evacuees have already revisited their homes, or what is left of them, to recover some of their few belongings.

Others will join them this Saturday, Sanchez said.

The search and rescue mission to find the 374 people believed to have gone missing will continue over the weekend, though next Monday a meeting will be held to determine whether conditions are safe enough to continue.

Also take into account will be the emotional state of the people working in the area, because some have been “hit very hard psychologically.”

The area where the mudslide occurred is now “fairly stable” according to the authorities, but remaining vigilant at all times is vital since there are still about 100 homes in dangerously poor condition.

Some 386 people have now been provided with shelter at five different places in the Santa Catarina Pinula municipality.