A catastrophic landslide has struck Papua New Guinea, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 670 lives. The natural disaster hit the province of Enga overnight from Thursday to Friday, catching villagers off guard as they slept. According to Serhan Aktoprak, a UN migration official, more than 150 houses were buried under masses of mud and rubble that reached up to eight meters thick in some places.
Witnesses reported hearing a powerful noise as the landslide, a deadly mix of rocks and earth, broke away from Mount Mungalo and devastated the village. Local official Steven Kandai described how the mountain collapsed suddenly, obliterating homes and leaving some inhabitants with no chance to escape. Those who did manage to flee were tragically caught by falling trees and rockslides.
Humanitarian efforts have been further complicated by tribal violence along the sole access route to the disaster site. Rivalries, although not related to the landslide itself, have impeded aid convoys, necessitating a security escort by the Papua New Guinea army. Heavy rains, which are common in this region located just south of the equator, are believed to have triggered the landslide. This tragedy follows a similar incident in March, where at least 23 lives were lost in a neighboring province due to landslides.
- Efforts to recover and identify the bodies have been hampered due to the sheer volume of debris. Large rocks and uprooted trees pose significant challenges to the rescue teams.
- Residents have been mobilizing alongside international aid workers to provide emergency relief including food, shelter, and medical supplies to survivors.
- Authorities are urging people to remain vigilant as weather forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall in the coming weeks, potentially increasing the risk of further landslides.
