Natural Disaster
Over 100 Dead in Landslide in Remote Part of Papua New Guinea
In the early hours of Friday, a catastrophic landslide struck the remote village in Enga province, Papua New Guinea
In this incident resulting in the feared deaths of over 100 people. The disaster, which occurred around 3 a.m. local time, has left the community in a state of shock and devastation as rescue efforts continue amidst challenging conditions.
The landslide, described by Enga Governor Peter Ipatas as an "unprecedented natural disaster," buried more than 100 homes and engulfed six villages in the highlands of Enga. The exact number of casualties remains uncertain, but local residents and officials fear the death toll could be significantly higher than initial estimates. Graphic footage shared on social media depicts the harrowing scene, with locals desperately digging through the rubble in search of survivors.
Rescue teams, including medics, military personnel, and police, began arriving at the site on Saturday. The journey to the affected area has been complicated by the rugged terrain and damage to major roads, making access difficult. Helicopters have been deployed to reach the remote village, as highway access remains obstructed. The Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations, such as CARE, are conducting situational assessments and providing much-needed aid.
The landslide has also disrupted operations at the Porgera gold mine, managed by Barrick Gold through Barrick Niugini Ltd, a joint venture with China's Zijin Mining. The mine's access route has been blocked, further complicating the relief efforts. Barrick Gold has yet to respond to requests for comment on the impact of the disaster on their operations.
Prime Minister James Marape has pledged government support for the relief and recovery efforts. In a statement, he expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and assured that disaster officials, the PNG Defense Force, and the Department of Works and Highways are being dispatched to assist with the recovery of bodies and reconstruction of infrastructure. Marape emphasized the need for a comprehensive briefing on the scale of destruction and loss of lives before releasing further information.
The International Organization for Migration's chief in Papua New Guinea, Serhan Aktoprak, highlighted the ongoing instability of the soil, which continues to slide, making rescue operations perilous. The affected area, covering the size of three to four football fields, has left nearly 3,900 residents without access to water, power, and essential supplies. Immediate needs include shelter, blankets, bedsheets, food, and drinking water.
Local community leaders, such as Steven Kandai, have described the sudden and devastating nature of the landslide. "All of a sudden there was a big landslip. The mountain just collapsed all of a sudden while people were still sleeping," Kandai said, adding that many residents had no time to flee. The scene is one of total devastation, with car-size boulders, felled trees, and dirt stretching down toward the valley floor.
The international community has also expressed its support for Papua New Guinea. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and U.S. President Joe Biden have both offered assistance in the relief and recovery efforts. Wong conveyed Australia's heartfelt sympathies and readiness to help, while Biden expressed his sorrow for the loss of life and devastation, stating that the United States stands with Papua New Guinea during this difficult time.
As rescue teams continue to work tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies, the full extent of the disaster is still being assessed. The remote and mountainous terrain, coupled with frequent heavy rains, poses significant challenges to the relief efforts. The region has experienced increased rainfall and flooding this year, with a similar landslide in a neighboring province claiming 23 lives in March.
The people of Kaokalam and the surrounding villages face a long and arduous road to recovery. The immediate focus remains on providing aid and support to the affected communities, while efforts to rebuild and restore infrastructure will be crucial in the coming weeks and months. The resilience and determination of the local residents, combined with the support of the international community, will be essential in overcoming the aftermath of this tragic event.