Buried beneath rubble, casualties from PNG’s landslide remain unrecovered
Approximately 2,000 individuals are still trapped under massive amounts of debris, and the ongoing instability is hindering rescue operations.
Recovery efforts are slow in the remote Enga province of Papua New Guinea, where large landslides have engulfed villages.
Recovery operations are facing challenges due to continuous smaller landslides in the area.
The tragedy occurred around 600 kilometers (372 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, early on May 24, covering an area equivalent to four football fields.
Over 150 houses were buried, and nearly 2,000 people are feared dead, according to the country’s National Disaster Center.
Rescue efforts by international and PNG government teams have been struggling to reach the remote location, forcing villagers to use whatever tools they have to dig through the collapsed mountainside.
So far, six survivors and five bodies, along with a limb from a sixth person, have been recovered.
Community leader Miok Michael expressed doubt about finding more survivors and mentioned the need for machinery to aid in the recovery process.
As the ongoing landslides continue to affect the area, the government has evacuated 7,000 people amid concerns of disease outbreaks.
A state of emergency has been declared, and the military is providing security and leading emergency efforts, supported by other agencies.
The landslide has directly impacted around 8,000 individuals, while another 30,000 to 40,000 living along the blocked road have also been affected.
Breaking Rocks Sounding Like ‘Bombs’
The chair of the Enga provincial disaster committee described the sound of falling rocks as resembling bombs or gunshots, highlighting the unprecedented level of devastation in the area.
Prime Minister James Marape attributed the landslide and other disasters in the country to extreme weather patterns and climate change, while Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso emphasized the widespread impact of these effects.
New Zealand has pledged support, including financial assistance and relief supplies, to aid in the recovery efforts.
