More than 100 people are believed to have died in a landslide that struck a remote village in Papua New Guinea. The landslide occurred in Enga province, burying parts of the community under boulders and trees. While estimates of the death toll vary, the chief of the International Organization for Migration’s mission in Papua New Guinea stated that the village of Yambali, where the landslide struck, is home to 3,895 people. The area affected by the landslide is the size of three to four football fields, and relief efforts are being hampered by blocked roads and ongoing land movement.
The death toll is expected to rise, given the scale of the disaster and the challenges faced by emergency responders in accessing the affected area. Immediate needs for the villagers include shelter, blankets, food, and drinking water. The Papua New Guinean government is mobilizing disaster officials, defense forces, and the Department of Works and Highways to assist with relief efforts, recovery of bodies, and reconstruction of infrastructure. Australia, a close neighbor and generous provider of foreign aid to Papua New Guinea, has also offered assistance in relief and recovery efforts.
Videos on social media showed residents of the affected village pulling out bodies buried under rocks and trees. The landslide has caused significant destruction, flattening houses and cutting off roads, hindering the supply of essential goods to nearby towns. Helicopters are currently the only way of accessing the village due to the closure of the main road in the mountainous Highlands region. Papua New Guinea is a diverse nation with limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where most of the population resides. The country faces challenges in communication and transportation, making disaster response efforts more difficult.
Prime Minister James Marape expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the landslide and promised government support for relief and recovery efforts. The exact number of casualties is yet to be determined, as rescue teams continue their search for survivors and bodies. The landslide occurred while villagers were asleep in the early hours of the morning, resulting in widespread devastation. The international community, including Australia, has offered assistance and support to Papua New Guinea during this tragedy, demonstrating solidarity and cooperation in times of crisis. The full extent of the damage caused by the landslide and its aftermath is still being assessed as rescue operations continue.
