A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left villagers digging through rocks and mud in a desperate attempt to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies. The UN fears that at least 670 people may have been buried in the collapse of a mountain side in Enga province.
The village of Kaokalam was wiped out early Friday morning, with the damage extending for close to a kilometre. Despite efforts to recover bodies, less than a dozen have been found so far, with rubble 10m deep in some places hindering rescue operations.
Local media reported a miraculous rescue of a couple who survived as their home only caught the edge of the landslide. They were saved after rescue workers heard their cries for help.
Prime Minister James Marape has expressed his condolences and ordered the country’s defence force and emergency agencies to the area, but locals are still waiting for larger rescue operations to be initiated.
Community leader Ignas Nembo expressed frustration, stating that many bodies are still trapped under the rubble and calling for government support. Despite the risks of further landslides, efforts to free those trapped continue, with soldiers attempting to remove boulders blocking access.
The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are uncovered, with about 3,800 people living in the area prior to the disaster. Remaining residents are being evacuated due to the high-risk nature of the region, with forecasts of further rain posing additional dangers.
International aid agencies are on standby to assist with rescue and recovery operations, as the unstable ground and debris from the landslide make the situation extremely challenging. The cause of the landslide is believed to be weeks of heavy rain and wet conditions in the area.
Neighboring Australia has pledged to offer assistance to Papua New Guinea, with a history of providing aid to the nation in times of crisis. The tragic events in Kaokalam serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities in the face of natural disasters.
