A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left over 300 people and more than 1,100 houses buried in its wake, according to reports from local media. The incident occurred in the remote village of Kaokalam in Enga Province, located approximately 600 km northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, striking at around 3 a.m. on Friday.
Extent of the Tragedy and Response Efforts
Ksbul 24: The landslide, which has caused widespread destruction across multiple villages in the Mulitaka region, has raised fears of a significant loss of life. The Papua New Guinea Post Courier, quoting a member of parliament, Aimos Akem, reported the grim statistics of those affected. Efforts to reach out to Akem for further details are ongoing.
International Support and Assessment
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been actively engaged in coordinating with Papua New Guinea authorities to assess the damage and casualties.
The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby is closely monitoring the situation and providing support as needed.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
Emergency teams have managed to retrieve four bodies from the disaster site, with expectations of the death toll rising as more areas are accessed. The rugged terrain and blocked highways have made helicopter operations the primary means of reaching the affected areas, posing significant challenges to rescue and relief efforts.
Heartbreaking Scenes and Humanitarian Response
Social media footage shared by a local villager captured the desperate search for survivors amidst the debris, with the sound of weeping echoing in the background.
Prime Minister James Marape has mobilized disaster response teams, the Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways to aid in the ongoing relief and recovery operations.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for swift and coordinated international assistance to address the immediate humanitarian crisis unfolding in Papua New Guinea.
