Massive Landslide Hits Papua New Guinea, Several Feared Dead

Many people are feared to be dead after a massive landslide hit Papua New Guinea’s highlands on Friday. According to AFP, the disaster struck at 3 AM (local time) in Kaokalam village, in Papua New Guinea’s remote Enga province north of the island nation in the southwest Pacific and buried over 100 homes. 

However, the number of victims is still not clear. 

While speaking to the news agency, provincial governor Peter Ipatas said that the landslide had caused “loss of life and property”.

Images that surface on social media showcase a large bite and soil These showed a vast bite of rock and soil split off from the densely vegetated hill. A long wide scar of care-sized boulders, felled trees, and dirt stretched down toward the valley floor. Others showed remains of the house, and corrugated tin shelters could be seen at the foot of a large landslide.

While speaking to Reuters, Andrew Ruing, a community leader said that people were asleep when the landslide struck. “More than 300 lives have been covered by the debris and rocks,” he said. “Food, gardens, the people, the properties worth more than millions have been lost, covered by all these things,” he added.

Survivors Get To Clear The Rubble

Survivors could be heard crying, yelling or hearing for survivors or standing scanning the scene in disbelief. Some quickly got to work with long-handled axes and machetes and strapping on head torches to clear the rubble and look for survivors. 

Aid agencies, including Papua New Guinea Red Cross and CARE, confirmed the occurrence of the landslides but they are still trying gather more information. 

Humanitarian organisation Care Australia said in a statement: “While the area is not densely populated, our concern is that the death toll could be disproportionately high.” “Clearing road will take a long time and “this will hinder assessment and relief efforts”, it said, according to BBC.

Papua New Guinea sits just on the south of the equator, the area frequently gets heavy rain. The island has seen intense rainfall and flooding, especially this year.