A devastating landslide has hit six remote villages in Papua New Guinea, with fears of significant casualties, according to local officials and aid agencies.
The landslide occurred early Friday morning local time, burying over 100 homes in the highlands of Enga, north of the island nation in the southwest Pacific.
The exact number of people trapped or casualties hasn’t been confirmed yet, with rescue efforts facing challenges in sifting through the debris.
Enga governor Peter Ipatas described it as an “unprecedented natural disaster,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
Prime Minister James Marape’s government has dispatched disaster officials to the site to initiate relief efforts, recover bodies, and rebuild infrastructure.
Marape pledged to provide more information as the extent of the destruction and loss of lives becomes clear.
Images and videos online depict extensive damage, with collapsed houses, uprooted trees, and people surveying the aftermath atop fallen boulders.
Reports indicate cries and yells heard from the affected areas, emphasizing the urgency of the response.
The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society and an emergency response team comprising various agencies and NGOs are actively involved in assessing the situation and providing assistance.
CARE, an international humanitarian organization, is also evaluating the incident’s impact. Enga, located over 600 kilometers from the capital, Port Moresby, faces a challenging recovery process ahead.
Source-BBC
