Maip Mulitaka, Enga Province – A massive landslide has struck six remote villages in Papua New Guinea, leading to fears of multiple casualties as local officials and aid agencies assess the extent of the devastation. The landslide, which occurred in the highlands of Enga, buried over 100 homes, leaving many residents trapped in the rubble. The exact number of casualties is yet to be officially confirmed, but the governor of Enga Province, Peter Ipatas, described the event as an “unprecedented natural disaster.”
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has mobilized disaster officials to the landslide site to initiate relief efforts, recover bodies, and commence the reconstruction of infrastructure. The difficult terrain and debris have posed challenges for rescue teams, as images circulating online show extensive damage with collapsed houses and uprooted trees. The Red Cross Society of Papua New Guinea reported unconfirmed deaths and multiple casualties, prompting an emergency response team consisting of various agencies to deploy to the affected area.
The international humanitarian organization CARE is conducting a situation assessment on the incident, while residents in the region, more than 600 kilometers from the capital city of Port Moresby, struggle to cope with the aftermath of the disaster. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the scale of destruction, with officials from the provincial governor’s office, police, defense forces, and local NGOs all working to address the crisis. The Prime Minister has pledged to provide further updates as more information becomes available regarding the loss of lives and damage caused by the landslide.
As the community reels from the impact of the landslide, the focus remains on the urgent need for assistance to those affected by the disaster. The full extent of the tragedy is yet to be fully understood, but efforts are underway to support recovery and reconstruction in the wake of this devastating event. The resilience of the people in the face of such adversity is a testament to the strength and unity of the community in times of crisis.