MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A landslide in Papua New Guinea believed to have claimed over 100 lives is now the focus of an emergency response. The catastrophic event occurred in a remote, mountainous part of Enga province on Friday and devastated the village of Yambali. Located 600 kilometers (370 miles) northwest of Port Moresby, this region is now in desperate need of assistance.
The landslide took place at approximately 3 a.m. and resulted in huge boulders and felled trees burying parts of the village. It has effectively cut off the community, and recovery efforts are hindered by the continued slide of the terrain.
Serhan Aktoprak, head of the International Organization for Migration’s mission in Papua New Guinea, expressed concerns about the scale of the disaster and the potential for the death toll to exceed the preliminary estimate. He mentioned difficulties with access to water, a disrupted power supply, and potential food shortages for the survivors.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape assured the nation that help was on the way, including officials from disaster management, the Defense Force, and the Department of Works and Highways. Expressing condolences for the lives lost, Marape also promised aid for the delayed recovery and relief work, as well as the recovery of bodies and reconstruction infrastructure.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, also extended heartfelt sympathies to Papua New Guinea. She noted Australia’s readiness to assist in the relief and recovery efforts after the deadly disaster.