Papua New Guinea authorities are on high alert as nearly 7,900 people living near the site of a deadly landslide are deemed “at risk” due to ongoing rock and debris movement. The mountain remains “very active,” according to province officials, making it increasingly unlikely that any victims will be found alive in the rubble.
The country’s disaster agency fears that about 2,000 people were buried when the mountainside collapsed last Friday, a significantly higher number than the UN’s estimate of 670 victims. Access to the site and those buried under the mass remains difficult, hindering efforts to establish an exact death toll.
Rescuers have shifted their focus from a rescue mission to a recovery operation, with only six bodies recovered as of Tuesday. Villagers have been using basic tools to remove rocks and rubble, facing delays in the arrival of heavy machinery and cultural sensitivities around using such equipment near bodies.
The terrain remains hazardous, with rocks continuing to fall and the rubble reaching depths of 10 meters in some areas. Authorities have issued evacuation notices to nearby communities as the impact area of the landslide expands, putting more homes and properties at risk.
Concerns are also growing over the risk of infection and disease as bodies trapped under the rubble begin to decay. Aid groups are working to provide basic supplies like food, water, and hygiene kits to residents, but face challenges due to blocked highways and damaged infrastructure.
Australia has pledged an airlift of supplies to assist with relief efforts, as local officials estimate that about 3,800 people were living in the village prior to the landslide. The collapse of the mountain has been attributed to weeks of heavy rain and wet conditions in the area.
Prime Minister James Marape has expressed condolences and directed national response teams to the region, as the disaster unfolds amidst political pressure with a looming no-confidence motion against him in parliament. The situation remains critical as authorities work to address the ongoing risks and challenges posed by the devastating landslide.
