In a devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea, over 2,000 individuals are feared to have been buried alive, according to a government official who has reached out to the United Nations for aid. This alarming figure starkly contrasts with the United Nations’ initial estimate of 670 fatalities from the disaster in the mountainous interior of the South Pacific island nation. Thus far, only the remains of six people have been recovered.
Luseta Laso Mana, the acting director of Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center, described the harrowing impact of the landslide on Yambali village in Enga province in a letter dated Sunday to the United Nations resident coordinator. Mana noted that the landslide had “buried more than 2000 people alive” and caused “major destruction.”
The International Organization for Migration, actively involved in response efforts, has maintained its initial estimate of 670 deaths, pending further verification. Mana highlighted the challenges in determining the precise scale of the disaster, citing the remote location of the village, communication limitations, and ongoing tribal conflicts in the province that necessitate military escorts for relief operations.
The landslide has not only claimed numerous lives but also obstructed a vital stretch of the province’s main highway with layers of debris, significantly hampering relief efforts. Mana emphasized the ongoing instability of the terrain, which continues to pose risks to both rescue teams and survivors.
Efforts to address the catastrophe have commenced, including the deployment of heavy machinery donated by a local builder and the involvement of Papua New Guinea’s defense minister. However, there is division among villagers over the use of such equipment due to concerns about potential damage to the buried bodies.
As the situation continues to unfold, Papua New Guinea’s government is assessing the need for additional international assistance, recognizing the disaster’s long-term economic repercussions for the entire country.