The landslide area remains sealed off and closed to the general public, including residents. Photo: Facebook / Polynésie la 1ère
Close to a thousand people have attended an interfaith church service in French Polynesia's capital Papeete in a tribute to the eight victims of a major landslide that struck last week.
The landslide left no survivors in the small township of Afaahiti-Taravao, southeast of main island of Tahiti, on Wednesday 26 November, around 5am local time (Thursday NZT). A three-year-old girl was the youngest victim.
The two-hour ecumenical service brought together French Polynesia's five main religious denominations.
It was held in the multi-purpose hall of Pueu (Papeete) in presence of families, friends, volunteers, emergency services and members of the general public from all walks of life.
Politicians from across the spectrum were also there, including French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson, his Cabinet and prominent members of the parliamentary majority and opposition.
"We are here to bring support to those who have left us. And to say thank you to all those who have worked so hard during those two days (of search and rescue operations)", Brotherson said during a brief address.
"We'll do our best to appease the pain that will surely stay there for a long time. But we want families to know that we are here, the whole country feels for them".
"I did not expect such a large display of people showing compassion (...) This is heart-warming", Vaimiti Ahiefitu, who lost her older sister and her nephew in the tragedy, told public broadcaster Polynésie la Première.
Meanwhile, wreaths have also been laid on the foot of the hill that unleashed tons of water and mud onto the two affected houses and their close neighbourhood.
A dozen families from the same affected neighbourhood, who have left since the disaster struck, have managed to find refuge with family members outside the dangerous area.
Some of them are waiting for a permanent relocation.
A medico-psychological assistance unit remained active to help local population cope with the disaster.
Meanwhile, a judicial inquiry for "manslaughter" is underway in order to establish the "circumstances that led to the landslide", French High Commissioner Alexandre Rochatte said in a statement.
The landslide area remains sealed off and closed to the general public, including residents.
At the weekend, a team of geological experts sent from Nouméa (New Caledonia) and Paris started to survey the landslide zone.
Their initial assessment was that the whole area remained in a state of "major instability", mainly because of the heavy rains that continue to pour.
"Until we get the green light, it will remain closed", Rochatte said.
Dwellers needing to retrieve personal effects from the houses have been allowed in, under escort from emergency services.
Last week, all flags at public buildings in French Polynesia were flown at half mast.
At the Territorial Assembly and the French High Commission, one minute of silence was observed in homage to the victims.
Messages of condolence, support and solidarity have flowed, including from French President Emmanuel Macron and French minister for overseas territories Naïma Moutchou.
