Papua New Guinea landslide buried more than 2,000 people, government says

The government of Papua New Guinea has reported that a devastating landslide in the country has resulted in the burial of more than 2,000 people. This tragic incident occurred in the Enga province, specifically in the Yambali village. The landslide is said to have covered a stretch of the province’s main highway under debris that is 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 feet) deep, posing a major obstacle to relief efforts.

The disaster has created a challenging situation on the ground, with unstable conditions and the threat of further landslides complicating the rescue and recovery process. Additionally, the remote location of the affected area and the presence of tribal warfare in the region have made it difficult for international relief workers and aid convoys to access the area safely.

The International Organization for Migration initially estimated the death toll to be more than 670 based on calculations by Yambali village and Enga provincial officials. However, the government’s figure of more than 2,000 buried highlights the severity of the disaster and the challenges in accurately determining the number of casualties due to the difficult conditions on the ground.

Emergency crews are working to move survivors to safer ground and establish evacuation centers on safer ground on either side of the massive swath of debris. The disaster has also disrupted essential supplies and services to the affected region, with convoys transporting food, water, and other essential supplies facing risks related to tribal fighting in the area.

The landslide occurred on Friday, and the scale of the disaster is only now becoming clear as rescue efforts continue amid challenging conditions. The government and international organizations are working to coordinate relief efforts and provide support to the affected communities.