In a devastating turn of events, a massive landslide in the remote region of northern Papua New Guinea has claimed the lives of over 300 people, according to local MP Amos Akem. The disaster, which struck the Yambali village in the early hours of Friday, has left the area in ruins, burying more than 1,182 houses and hampering relief efforts due to blocked roads.
The scale of the disaster is staggering. The affected area, home to nearly 4,000 people, is roughly the size of three to four football fields. "The landslide buried more than 300 people and 1,182 houses," Akem reported. The International Organization for Migration’s mission chief in Papua New Guinea, Serhan Aktoprak, fears that the death toll could rise even higher given the magnitude of the disaster.
The landslide has left the region in a state of chaos. The road to Yambali village from the provincial capital, Wabag, is blocked, making it difficult for relief efforts to reach the affected area. "The land still continues sliding, therefore it makes it very difficult to operate on," Aktoprak said.
The disaster has prompted a swift response from local and national authorities. Enga’s provincial administrator, Sandis Tsaka, confirmed that emergency response teams, including disaster, police, and health workers, have been dispatched to the area. Prime Minister James Marape has also pledged support, stating that he would release information about the destruction and loss of life as soon as it becomes available.
The disaster has struck a nation already grappling with challenges. Papua New Guinea, a diverse, developing nation of mostly subsistence farmers, is the second most populous nation in the South Pacific after Australia. With poor telecommunications, particularly outside Port Moresby, and 85% of the population living in rural areas, the country faces significant hurdles in disaster response and recovery.
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