31.   Alain Gehain, the head of Franche-Comte region, said rescuers were prepared for a lengthy operation.

32.   An eyewitness alerted police, but rescuers were unable to help the victim who died instantly.

33.   Apparently seeking to minimize casualties, the pilot crash-landed near the shore, where rescuers were able to reach the wreckage quickly.

34.   Because of the danger of further landslides, rescuers were only able to enter the site a half day after the collapse.

35.   Based on information from residents, rescuers estimated there were about five more people buried beneath the slabs of concrete and twisted metal.

36.   But after hours of digging, rescuers were not closer to finding the source of the knocking and the possibility of finding any one alive.

37.   But he said the search would continue until rescuers were sure.

38.   But six hours after the landslide, rescuers were unable to reach them because of unstable ground and fears for the safety of emergency workers.

39.   By his reckoning, he said, his rescuers were early.

40.   By mid-afternoon, rescuers were handing rocks down lines similar to bucket brigades.