Over 2,000 Buried Alive in Papua New Guinea Landslide
A catastrophic landslide in Papua New Guinea’s remote Enga province has potentially buried more than 2,000 people, according to government officials.
The disaster, which struck early Friday morning, obliterated the village of Yambali and surrounding areas, leading to a large-scale humanitarian crisis. This tragedy has prompted urgent calls for international aid as the nation struggles to cope with the aftermath.
Initial estimates of the death toll have varied significantly. While the United Nations initially reported around 670 deaths, the Papua New Guinea government later claimed that over 2,000 people were buried alive.
The discrepancy in numbers highlights the challenges in assessing the true scale of the disaster, compounded by difficult terrain, lack of infrastructure, and ongoing tribal conflicts in the region.
Rescue efforts are facing many challenges. The landslide has blocked a 200-meter section of the main road with debris that is up to 10 meters deep, making it very hard to reach the affected area. The ground is still unstable, which is dangerous for the rescue teams.
Heavy machinery has been slow to arrive, so villagers have had to use shovels and farming tools to look for survivors.
Papua New Guinea’s acting director of the National Disaster Center, Luseta Laso Mana, detailed the extensive destruction in a letter to the United Nations. The landslide not only claimed lives but also destroyed buildings and food gardens, severely impacting the local economy.
Prime Minister James Marape has mobilized the defense force and emergency services to the area, but local residents report that substantial government aid is still lacking.
Survivors like Evit Kambu are facing immense personal losses, with many unable to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones. Ignas Nembo, a community leader, described the dire situation to the BBC, emphasizing the need for more robust government intervention.
Provincial police commander Martin Kelei noted the precarious nature of the rescue efforts, as moving large boulders risks triggering further landslides.
International Aid
International aid agencies, including Care Australia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are on the ground assisting with relief efforts. However, the situation remains unstable, with forecasts predicting more rain that could lead to additional landslides.
The IOM’s Serhan Aktoprak highlighted the cultural sensitivities around using heavy machinery, as grieving families are reluctant to further disturb the burial sites of their relatives.
The landslide has caused significant economic disruption, particularly affecting the Highlands Highway, a critical artery for the region. The disaster has also drawn attention to the broader vulnerabilities of Papua New Guinea, a nation rich in natural resources yet plagued by underdevelopment and frequent natural disasters.