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–A woman and two men are missing after a boat was taken by the current in a river at Tokagjelet in Kvam. An extensive rescue operation is underway Monday night.
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– There is very strong water flow. The boat was taken by the current down to a dam. After the dam, there is a free fall into a waterfall, says duty commander Ronald Drotningsvik at the 110 exchange west to NTB.
It is a rowing boat with three people and a dog in it. The emergency services have not had contact with the people in the boat.
To VG the guard commander states that an oar has been found in the river, and this means that the rescue crews are reasonably sure that the boat has gone down the waterfall.
Woman and men
Task leader Synnøve Malkenes in the West police district informs according to NRK that the missing are two men and a woman.
– They have most likely ended up down the dam in Tokagjelet and disappeared down the gill in the waterfall, says Malkenes according to Bergensavisen.
According to VG are the relatives of the missing notified, and they are taken care of. The missing are Norwegian, but do not live in the area, the newspaper writes.
Between 30 and 40 people participate in the action until Monday night.
Message Sunday night
The fire service was notified of the incident at 9.30 pm. The person who called had seen that the boat was taken off the power. The incident happened at 9 p.m.
Both police and firefighters are on site. Volunteers from the Red Cross and rescue divers and a climbing group have also been called out. The main rescue center has been notified.
There is fog and rain in the area and difficult conditions for a search due to the high water flow.
Helicopter had to turn
– An air ambulance and rescue helicopter were also sent to the scene, but later had to turn around due to the flight conditions, says operations manager Stine Mjelde in the West police district.
– It is impossible to walk along the river. Observation posts have been set up on various bridges down the river, says duty commander Drotningsvik.
Two waterfalls
According to Bergensavisen the guard commander is unsure of the height of the waterfall, but he estimates it to be between 50 and 100 meters. And after a new river section, there will be another waterfall.
Tokagjelet is located in Hardanger.
Police are asking people who are not part of the rescue operation to stay away from the river and the water.
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