KABUL - Rescuers stopped searching and digging to find survivors in the double landslide caused by flooding related to ice and snow melt in northern Badakhshan province on Friday that killed, an estimated, 2,500 people if not more.

The hopes of finding any survivors has dwindled as rescuers only found the bodies of an old woman and a child in an entire day of searching. The rescuers spent Friday night camped out in the near freezing conditions on the open hillside.‎

The local officials said the site has become a mass grave for the village of Argo district. The aid, including tents, food and water, have arrived for the survivors.

The landslide buried entire villages, which has made rescue attempts extremely difficult.

"300 families, including children, women and men were completely buried," Badakhshan Governor Shah Wali Adib said on Saturday. "We tried to rescue them but there is mud more than 50 meters thick."

Karzai's Second Vice President Karim Khalili traveled to the district with other high ranking officials on Saturday. He said 250 residents have been confirmed dead, but that 300 houses remain buried.

President Hamid Karzai's office has announced a national day of mourning Sunday in honor of the landslide victims.

On Sunday, government officials will begin clearing the area as it is still prone for another landslide. More machine power equipment is being sent to the district to stabilize the district as it is still prone for another landslide, according to local officials.

According to a local resident in Badakhshan, it's been 18 years since the last landslide happened in the same area, which killed eight people.

Meanwhile, local authorities have said nearly 3,000 people are missing. (Toloenews)