1 dead, others believed missing in Alaska landslide, authorities say

One person has died and at least seven others are believed missing after a large landslide ripped down a mountain near a remote community in southeast Alaska during the night, authorities said Tuesday.

Three homes were in the direct path of the landslide and authorities were using a cadaver-sniffing dog and heat-sensing drones to search for any additional victims.

The slide — estimated to be about 137 metres wide — occurred about 9 p.m. Monday near Wrangell, a small fishing community of just over 2,000 residents located on an island about 250 kilometres south of Juneau.

A preliminary survey determined three homes were in the direct path of the slide, and first responders started a quick search for survivors, Alaska State Troopers said in a statement.

"The body of one deceased individual was located during the hasty search. Multiple individuals are believed to have been within the slide area when the landslide occurred and are believed to be missing," the statement added.

People were urged to contact the local police if they know of anyone missing.

Phone service appeared to be down for the remote community, but officials posted on Facebook that a local food bank was accepting donations and offered a community gathering place at a local bakery.

"Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with those suffering due to last night's events," officials wrote on Wrangell's Facebook page.

Pictures posted on social media show the extent of damage. The slide scoured the mountainside, leaving barren earth from near the top of the mountain to the ocean, wiping out a swath of large evergreen trees and leaving what appeared to be remnants of homes in its wake.

The landslide cut off access and power to approximately 75 homes, and boats have been taking residents from the cut off area to the unaffected part of town, according to the state emergency management office.

Troopers said a large-scale search and rescue mission wasn't immediately possible because the site is unstable and hazardous. A state geologist would first have to assess the site to ensure conditions were safe before proceeding, they said.

Wrangell interim borough manager Mason Villarma told The Associated Press in a phone interview that at least seven people are believed missing after at least two homes were hit directly.

"Our community is resilient. And it always comes together for tragedies like this. We're broken, but resilient and determined to find everybody that's missing," Villarma said.

Villarma said a staff briefing was held with city employees, and the geological expert had arrived from Juneau.