A landslide in Papua New Guinea’s remote Enga Province has left more than 100 people feared dead, according to local officials.
The disaster struck early Friday morning, burying the village of Yambali under boulders, trees, and debris. Rescue efforts are currently underway, but the ongoing instability of the landslide area is hampering progress.
The landslide occurred around 3 a.m., approximately 600 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Moresby. Residents from nearby areas reported that a mountainside collapse buried significant portions of the community, isolating it completely.
Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the International Organization for Migration’s mission in Papua New Guinea, described the affected area as covering the size of three to four football fields.
He noted that Yambali, home to nearly 3,900 people, saw some of its houses spared, but the full extent of casualties remains uncertain.
Aktoprak, speaking from Port Moresby, expressed concerns that the death toll could exceed the initial estimates. The landslide has severed access to water, downed power lines, and left villagers struggling to find food. “Immediate needs are shelter, non-food items such as blankets and bedsheets, food, and drinking water,” Aktoprak said.
Prime Minister James Marape has pledged government support and expressed condolences to the affected families. He announced that disaster officials, the PNG Defense Force, and the Department of Works and Highways are being deployed to assist with relief efforts and infrastructure reconstruction.
Australia, a close neighbor and significant aid provider, has also offered support. Foreign Minister Penny Wong extended sympathies and affirmed Australia’s readiness to aid in relief and recovery efforts.
Local media footage and social media posts depict residents desperately searching for bodies under the rubble. Elizabeth Laruma, who leads a women’s business association in nearby Porgera, described the village’s complete devastation.
“From what I can presume, it’s about 100-plus people who are buried beneath the ground,” she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Due to the blocked main road, helicopters have become the primary means of accessing the isolated village. The mountainous Highlands region’s difficult terrain and limited infrastructure further complicate rescue operations.
Papua New Guinea, a country of around 10 million people, predominantly consists of subsistence farmers and is characterized by its diverse languages and cultures.
Telecommunications and internet access are notably poor, particularly outside the capital, complicating communication and coordination efforts in times of disaster.
