More Than 100 Feared Dead in Papua New Guinea Landslide

Written by Camilla Jessen

May.24 - 2024 8:05 AM CET

World
Photo: Salty View / Shutterstock.com
Photo: Salty View / Shutterstock.com
A landslide in Papua New Guinea is believed to have claimed the lives of more than 100 people.

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A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea's remote Enga Province is believed to have claimed the lives of more than 100 people, according to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The disaster struck Kaokalam Village in Enga Province, approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) northwest of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, at around 3 a.m. local time on Friday.

The landslide has left the community in shock, with residents fearing the death toll may be much higher than current estimates.

Local villagers have reported seeing more than 100 bodies, although official figures have yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Social media videos show residents desperately digging through the rubble, pulling out buried bodies in an attempt to find survivors.

The Papua New Guinea government and police have not yet issued a formal response or provided updated information regarding the incident.

Papua New Guinea, a country with a diverse population of mostly subsistence farmers, speaks over 800 languages. It is the most populous South Pacific nation after Australia, with a population of 10 million. The country’s rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure complicate rescue and relief efforts, particularly in remote areas like Enga Province.