A devastating landslide in rural Papua New Guinea has left at least three people dead and hundreds more feared to have perished as search and rescue efforts are hindered by unstable rubble and debris.
The landslide struck early Friday, burying three villages and trapping nearly 4,000 residents under massive boulders and up to 20 feet of debris. The affected area, a densely populated corridor, is now the focus of a massive humanitarian disaster that local officials are calling “of biblical proportions.”
Despite the efforts of rescue teams, only three bodies have been recovered so far, with five survivors, including a child, being treated for their injuries. The situation is dire as time is running out for those still trapped beneath the rubble.
The disaster has also caused significant damage to infrastructure, with a 500-foot section of the Porgera Highway, the main thoroughfare in the area, being inundated. International aid organizations and the country’s defense forces are mobilizing to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts.
The region has been plagued by escalating tribal conflicts in recent months, further complicating relief efforts. A humanitarian aid convoy was delayed by a blockade set up by one of the warring groups, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As heavy rain continues to pound the area, forecasted to persist in the coming days, the chances of finding survivors alive are dwindling. President Biden and Australia’s foreign minister have both pledged support for the rescue and recovery efforts.
Vincent Pyati, president of the local Community Development Association, estimates that at least 300 people may have been killed in the landslide, underscoring the magnitude of the tragedy. The affected villages, primarily inhabited by subsistence farmers, are now facing an unprecedented crisis that will require a concerted international response to address.
