MORE than a dozen minor landslides at Kwun Lung Lau Estate since Saturday night have hampered the search for four people thought to be buried under the tonnes of mud and rock, a senior fire officer said yesterday.
Western divisional officer Tong Koon-ngai said slides were happening ''all the time'' and officers feared another major landslide.
''When these landslides occur everybody stops working for a few minutes to check the situation. Small landslides may carry forward major landslides,'' he said.
Despite the delay, the search continued yesterday for those believed to be still under the rubble. Mr Tong said it was doubtful, however, that anyone would be found alive.
''We have heard nobody shouting for help and according to our heat detection systems there are no signs of life,'' he said.
Yesterday morning, rescue officials said they were relieved when a man and a woman thought to have been buried under the debris were found alive - albeit nowhere near the site.