Over 2,000 Feared Buried in Remote Papua New Guinea Landslide, Death Toll Surpasses 670

May 26, 2024, 11:56 AM

A massive landslide in Papua New Guinea's remote northern region has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with more than 2,000 people feared buried. The disaster, which struck early Friday morning at approximately 3:00 am, has devastated entire villages, including Kaokalam in Enga Province, located approximately 600 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Moresby. Emergency responders have been delivering food, water, and other provisions to survivors, while rescue efforts are hampered by unstable terrain and blocked roads. The Australian Defence Force is on standby to assist, and international organizations, including the UN and UNICEF, are actively involved in relief efforts. The death toll, initially estimated at over 670, has now risen significantly, with local estimates indicating that more than 2,000 people may have been buried. The landslide has also destroyed over 1,000 homes, including 1,182 residential buildings, leaving many residents displaced and in urgent need of assistance. The landslide buried the village under up to 8 meters of mud.