More than 2,000 Buried Alive In Massive Landslide As Papua New Guinea Asks For UN Help (image-X/UNinPNG)
The Papua New Guinea government said that more than 2,000 people have been buried alive after a massive landslide hit a remote village in the northern part of the country on Friday. A village in Enga province has been almost wiped out after a piece of Mount Mungalo collapsed early on Friday, burying numerous homes and the villagers inside.
The National Disaster Centre of the country informed the United Nations (UN) office in the capital Port Moresby that the landslide has caused “major destruction” to buildings and food gardens and had a “major impact on the economic lifeline of the country.” The main highway to Porgera Mine is also reported to be “completely blocked.”
As the landslide continues to shift, the situation continues to pose danger for both the survivors and the rescue teams, as noted in the letter.
Update: The UN estimates that at least 670 people have died in Papua New Guinea”s massive landslide. Aid workers and villagers are searching for survivors amid dangerous conditions. pic.twitter.com/CemQZ5AnPk
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) May 26, 2024
Overnight rains in the region’s mountainous areas intensified fears of the rubble lying 20 to 26 feet deep becoming unstable. Seeking help from the UN and “other international friends,” the country reportedly said that any assistance should be coordinated through the disaster centre.
On Monday, its nearest neighbour, Australia, made preparations to send aircraft and other equipment to facilitate help at the site. The country’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, stated that his officials have been in touch with Papua New Guinea since Friday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed its condolences to the locals affected in the incident. “All Australians grieve for our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea after the terrible landslide. We send out deepest condolences to those affected. Australia stands ready to assist,” Albanese said.
All Australians grieve for our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea after the terrible landslide.
We send our deepest condolences to those affected. Australia stands ready to assist.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 25, 2024
Meanwhile, the villagers have been digging with shovels in a bid to find bodies and potential survivors. The Chief of the International Organisation for Migration, Serhan Aktoprak, stated that the risk of another landslide was increasing as water continued to seep between the debris and the earth below.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, expressed his solidarity with the people of Papua New Guinea. He stated that the UN staff are “mobilising and supporting the government”s response efforts.”
I’m sending my solidarity to the people of Papua New Guinea following the devastating landslide that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people.@UN staff are mobilizing and supporting government’s response efforts.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 26, 2024
