A Devastating Landslide Strikes Enga Province
Nearly 4,000 people live in the affected villages, which were completely buried under as much as 20 feet of debris. Sandis Tsaka, the provincial administrator for Enga, reported that at least 60 homes were destroyed. The landslide covered an area equivalent to three or four soccer fields, with boulders larger than shipping containers tumbling down and causing extensive damage.
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Prime Minister James Marape described the event as potentially the country’s largest landslide, attributing the disaster to prolonged and extraordinary rainfall experienced this year. The landslide has not only buried homes but also a significant section of the Porgera Highway, the main thoroughfare connecting the region, further complicating rescue efforts.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations have been severely hampered by unstable rubble and ongoing rainfall, making it dangerous for responders to operate in the area. The death toll, currently at three confirmed deaths, is expected to rise significantly. Mr. Tsaka emphasized the urgent need for international aid, stating, “We are looking for all the help and support we can get to address the humanitarian disaster of proportions we’ve never seen in this part of the world.”
A humanitarian aid convoy managed to reach the affected villages on Saturday, providing tarps and water but no food. Relief efforts have been delayed due to a blockade set up by conflicting tribal groups, which required military intervention to clear. This delay has been critical, as time is running out to save those trapped under the debris.
The landslide has drawn immediate responses from international organizations and neighboring countries. The International Organization for Migration and other humanitarian agencies have been mobilized to provide essential supplies and support. Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, and U.S. President Joe Biden have both expressed their readiness to assist Papua New Guinea in its time of need.
A Call for Urgent Help
Local officials, including Enga’s governor Peter Ipatas, have described the situation as an unprecedented natural disaster. Emergency responders are working tirelessly, but the scale of the disaster and the challenging terrain have made it a monumental task.
As the country grapples with this tragedy, the need for coordinated international aid and support is more critical than ever. The government, along with international partners, is striving to provide relief, recover bodies, and rebuild the infrastructure devastated by the landslide.
The Papua New Guinea landslide has left a trail of destruction and loss, with hundreds feared dead and thousands affected. The ongoing rescue efforts are a race against time, hindered by unstable conditions and continued rainfall. This disaster calls for immediate international assistance to help the resilient people of Papua New Guinea recover and rebuild from this catastrophic event.