Rescue operation in Steinsdalen in Kvam – Boat taken off the current

A rescue operation is underway for three missing people in Tokagjelet in Kvam municipality in Hardanger.

– An oar has been found in the river, says duty officer Ronald Drotningsvik at the 110 exchange VG around 23.50.

The police operations center received on Sunday 24.10.21 at 21.33 message via AMK about three adults who have been taken by the current in the river on the east side of Langvotnevatnet on Kvamskogen.

Three people and a dog are said to have tried to cross the end of the water at the crossing to the river in a rowing boat.

The emergency services fear that the boat has gone downhill a waterfall, and that the three have ended up in the water.

Guard commander at the West 110 exchange, Ronald Drotningsvik, tells Dagbladet that they have large resources in place.

– Both divers and USAR crews have been sent to the site, but at present it is not possible to go out into the river. The water flow is too large for that, he says.

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 around 9 pm, reports NTB.

All emergency services moved out to the scene and the Main Rescue Center in southern Norway was immediately notified.

– An air ambulance and rescue helicopter were also sent to the scene, but later had to turn around due to the flight conditions. Heavy rain and fog have been reported in the area, the West police district writes in a press release.

Volunteers from the Red Cross, and rescue divers and a climbing group are on site.

Norwegian Rescue Dogs has six rescue dogs and operational management on the way, they report on Twitter.

Pictures from the site show firefighters lighting down the river.

Guard commander Drotningsvik tells that there is a considerably large fall on the waterfall, but he does not know how big this fall is.

– We have set up observation posts where possible. Heat-seeking cameras have also been used, and we have sent drones from Bergen.

Hardanger Folkeblad reports that the fire service started the search at Steinsdalsfossen. It is over six kilometers down the river from where the boat is said to have tried to cross Langvotnevatnet.

Between these points there is a difference of approx. 200 altitude meters.

At 23.40, Drotningsvik, who is on duty, says that rescue crews are now starting to move up the river from Neteland. Neteland is located about three kilometers west of where the search started, in the direction of Langvotnevatnet.

In addition, a climber, who is part of the climbing ridge, has gone down the dam in the river, which leads out to the waterfall.

– The search is still ongoing. There are demanding weather conditions and high water flow in the river, says Drotningsvik.

The mayor of Kvam, Torgeir Næss, does not want to comment on the incident at this time.

– Now there is a rescue work going on, he says to Dagbladet.

– How would you describe the weather in Kvam?

– It has been wet, but nothing extraordinary.

West police district writes in a press release at 23.10 that the three are still missing.

Police are asking people who are not part of the search to stay away from the area along the river.

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