27 May 2024: In a devastating natural disaster, Papua New Guinea estimates that more than 2,000 people may have been buried under landslides that struck a remote village last Friday.
A report from ABC News on Monday highlighted a letter from the country’s disaster agency to the UN, revealing the grim estimation of casualties. The landslides buried over 150 houses in Yambali village, located in the highlands of Enga province in the northern part of the country.
Serhan Aktoprak, an official with the UN migration agency in Papua New Guinea, confirmed the extensive damage and loss. The UN office in the Pacific Island nation reported approximately 670 people missing, although the exact number remains uncertain as search and rescue operations continue.
Efforts to reach and assist the affected areas are being hampered by the site’s remoteness, ongoing terrain instability, and damage to access roads. The UN office noted that government authorities are prioritizing the clearing of debris and improving access to facilitate relief efforts.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on rescuing survivors and providing necessary aid to those impacted by this tragic event.
