ENGA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA – A devastating landslide has struck six remote villages in Papua New Guinea’s highlands, burying more than 100 homes and sparking fears of significant loss of life. The disaster occurred around 03:00 local time on Friday (17:00 GMT Thursday) in Enga province, north of the island nation in the southwest Pacific.
Details of the Landslide
Local officials and aid agencies report that the landslide has caused massive destruction. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as no official confirmations have been made yet. However, it is feared that over 100 people may have perished in the disaster.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas described the event as an “unprecedented natural disaster,” emphasizing the severity and unexpected nature of the landslide.
Government Response
In response to the tragedy, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape announced that disaster officials have been dispatched to the affected area. Their tasks include initiating relief work, recovering bodies, and reconstructing infrastructure. “I will release further information as I am fully briefed on the scale of destruction and loss of lives,” Mr. Marape said in a statement.
On-the-Ground Reports
Images circulating online depict the catastrophic aftermath, with dozens of people climbing over fallen boulders to survey the damage. Many homes have collapsed, and trees have been uprooted. Videos posted on social media, such as one by Facebook user Kindupan Kambii from Kaokalam village, capture the desperate cries and chaos in the wake of the landslide.
Rescuers face significant challenges as they attempt to sift through the debris to locate survivors. A spokesman for the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society indicated that there are reports of deaths and multiple casualties, although exact numbers remain unconfirmed. An emergency response team comprising officials from the provincial governor’s office, police, defense forces, and local NGOs has been deployed to the site.
International and Local Aid Efforts
International humanitarian organization CARE has begun a situation assessment to understand the full extent of the incident and coordinate aid efforts. The remote location of Enga, over 600 kilometers by road from the capital, Port Moresby, adds to the complexity of the relief operations.
As the situation unfolds, the global community watches closely, hoping for swift rescue and recovery efforts for those affected by this tragic event in Papua New Guinea.
