A devastating landslide struck the Maip Mulitaka region in Enga Province, northern Papua New Guinea, early Friday morning, leaving over 4,000 people affected. The tragedy occurred around 3 a.m., flattening the village of Kaokalam and impacting a total of six villages.
Humanitarian group CARE Australia reported that more than 300 individuals were buried under the debris, and over 1,100 houses were destroyed. The landslide has left debris up to 8 meters deep across an area of 200 square kilometers, severely hindering relief efforts and cutting off road access to the affected zones.
Nearly 4,000 residents lived in the impact zone, which also served as a refuge for those displaced by conflicts in nearby areas. The region has been facing instability, with an incident in February resulting in the deaths of at least 26 men amid tribal violence.
Due to the extensive damage, helicopters are the only means to reach the affected areas. As of now, four bodies have been retrieved from the rubble. A CARE spokesperson warned that more homes could be at risk if the landslide continues down the mountain.
Prime Minister James Marape has assured that disaster officials, the Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways are actively assisting with relief and recovery operations. Social media footage shared by villager Ninga Role depicted survivors navigating through rocks and debris, with emotional scenes of women searching for loved ones.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
