Devastating Impact and Rescue Challenges
The landslide, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, has primarily affected the Yambali village at the foot of the Mungalo mountain. Local estimates, based on the number of buried homes, suggest that many of the victims are likely children. The disaster has also displaced at least 1,250 people, with survivors finding temporary shelter with relatives and friends.
According to Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the U.N. migration agency’s mission to Papua New Guinea, the terrain remains highly dangerous, with continuous ground movement, falling rocks, and cracking soil hampering rescue efforts. “Land is still sliding, rocks are falling, ground soil is cracking due to constant increased pressure, and groundwater is running,” Aktoprak reported from Port Moresby, the nation’s capital.
Causes and Scope of the Landslide
Preliminary reports suggest that the landslide may have been triggered by a combination of heavy rainfall over the past month and possible lightning strikes that loosened the already unstable ground. Kate Allstadt, a research geophysicist from the United States Geological Survey, noted that satellite imagery had previously identified the slope as unstable due to an earlier landslide.
The landslide’s footprint is approximately 915,000 square feet, encompassing the source area and deposits. This massive slide has not only buried homes but also cut off the Porgera Highway, which is crucial for accessing the nearby Porgera gold mine.
International and Local Support
The international community has expressed readiness to assist Papua New Guinea in its recovery efforts. President Biden stated that the United States is prepared to provide aid, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also pledged support. Humanitarian convoys, including military crews, have reached the provincial capital of Wabag to distribute food, water, and other essentials.
The rescue mission has faced significant obstacles. The unstable conditions have made it extremely dangerous for emergency teams to operate, with workers using basic tools like spades and pitchforks to search for bodies. As of Sunday, only five bodies had been recovered, with many more still buried under up to 26 feet of soil.
Aid efforts are further complicated by ongoing tribal warfare in the region. The Tulpar community, which was severely impacted by the landslide, had already been displaced due to tribal conflicts and had sought refuge in Yambali village. This conflict has not only increased the death toll but also led to roadblocks and delays in delivering much-needed relief supplies.
Despite the challenges, local authorities and international agencies are working tirelessly to provide relief. The IOM has set up an aid site in Yambali village and continues to coordinate with the Papua New Guinea government and other organizations to ensure that immediate needs for food, shelter, and medical supplies are met.
The full extent of the disaster is still being assessed, and the recovery process is expected to be long and arduous. The unstable terrain and ongoing tribal violence continue to pose significant risks to both residents and rescue workers. Aktoprak emphasized that the community’s mourning period could further delay the use of heavy machinery needed for excavation, potentially prolonging the recovery efforts.