A devastating landslide struck an isolated area of Enga province in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands, leaving at least four dead and hundreds feared buried under rubble and mud. The disaster occurred around 3:00 am on Friday while many villagers were asleep in their homes.
Community leader Mark Ipuia expressed concerns that over 300 villagers could be entombed by the massive landslide, which has buried numerous houses under debris. United Nations official Serhan Aktoprak estimated that as many as 3,000 people resided in the hillside settlement, now engulfed by the disaster.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by ongoing land movements, making it dangerous for rescue teams to operate effectively. Aid agencies reported that the catastrophe has devastated the village’s livestock, food gardens, and sources of clean water.
A rapid response team consisting of medics, military personnel, and police has begun arriving at the disaster zone, navigating challenging terrain and damaged roads to provide assistance. Despite the area’s low population density, concerns remain high about the potential death toll.
Images from the scene depict scenes of utter destruction, with massive chunks of earth ripped from Mount Mungalo and homes buried under debris. Volunteers are tirelessly working to excavate the area, while survivors recount harrowing tales of the landslide striking suddenly while they were asleep.
This tragedy highlights the vulnerability of communities in Papua New Guinea’s highlands to natural disasters, exacerbated by frequent heavy rains in the region. In March, a nearby province was also affected by a deadly landslide, claiming the lives of at least 23 people.
