Guatemala mudslide death toll climbs to 237—official

A woman places flowers over a coffin during the burial of five mudslide victims inside the Santa Catarina Pinula cemetery on the outskirts of Guatemala City, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. Prosecutors in Guatemala said Tuesday they have opened an investigation into who allowed homes to be built in an unsafe area where a massive mudslide killed more than 200 people. AP Photo

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala—Rescuers have recovered 237 bodies from the remains of a village near the Guatemalan capital that was buried under a landslide one week ago, an official said Thursday.

READ: Hope dims for finding survivors of Guatemala mudslide that killed 114 people

About 150 other people are still missing in Santa Catarina Pinula, where houses were covered last Thursday by a mountain of mud and debris following heavy rains.

Julia Barrera, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office, said 237 bodies had been recovered, revising an earlier toll of 221.

Julio Sanchez of the volunteer fire brigade told AFP at the scene that rescue work would continue, aided by specially trained dogs.

But crews said it would be nothing short of a miracle if anyone were found alive.

The stench of decomposing bodies forced rescue crews to wear respirators, Sanchez said, adding that those working at the site had received hepatitis and tetanus shots to protect against the spread of disease.

The public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the disaster.

READ: At least 26 dead in Guatemala mudslide, many missing

Leading up to the tragedy, municipal authorities had urged the community to relocate several times, most recently in November last year.