Fears Rise as Deadly Landslide in Papua New Guinea May Have Buried Over 2,000, Says Government Agency
A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has raised fears that the number of missing could be in the thousands, according to a government agency. Lusete Laso Mana, acting director of the National Disaster Centre, indicated in a letter that it is feared over 2,000 individuals were buried alive in Friday’s disaster. However, exact casualty figures remain uncertain, as rescue efforts are hampered by rubble as deep as 10 metres (32 feet) and inadequate equipment. The United Nations (UN) has reported 670 people missing, while fewer than a dozen bodies have been recovered so far.
The landslide, which occurred early Friday morning, obliterated a busy village in Enga province, with destruction spanning nearly a kilometer. Prior to the disaster, about 3,800 people resided in the area. Mana described the damage as extensive, significantly impacting the country’s economic lifeline. Prime Minister James Marape has conveyed his condolences and directed the national defence force and emergency agencies to the area, located approximately 600 km northwest of the capital, Port Moresby.
Local residents of the affected Kaokalam village express frustration over the delayed official response. One resident, Evit Kambu, reported that many of her family members are trapped under the rubble. Community leader Ignas Nembo told the BBC that locals, using shovels and bare hands, feel abandoned as they struggle to dig out the trapped.
Acting Provincial Police Commander Martin Kelei mentioned that soldiers are now on-site attempting to remove large boulders, though this process is precarious due to the risk of further landslides. Kelei noted that survivors can still be heard calling for help beneath the rubble.
Rescue workers managed to pull a couple alive from under rocks after hearing their cries for help. Remaining residents are being evacuated due to ongoing risks, with forecasts predicting further rain.
Care Australia’s country coordinator, Justine McMahon, highlighted the instability of the ground, which poses additional landslide risks. The UN’s Serhan Aktoprak described the challenges facing recovery teams, including the reluctance of grieving relatives to allow heavy machinery near the buried bodies. Rescue efforts are also impeded by significant damage to the main road leading to the town.
The Mount Mungalo landslide in Enga’s highlands is attributed to weeks of heavy rain and wet conditions.
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