Approximately 670 fatalities could occur in Papua New Guinea.
Over the course of Friday night into Saturday, a section of a mountain in a secluded region of Papua New Guinea experienced a disastrous collapse. While rescue efforts are being made to provide the locals with medicine and sustenance, it's now believed that the death toll may be significantly higher than initially thought.
The shocking landslide in the unreachable highlands of Papua New Guinea has reportedly led to the loss of 670 lives, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Serhan Aktoprak, the leader of the IOM mission in the South Pacific island nation, revealed that this estimate is based on fresh computations from a local settlement called Yambali, along with news from the Enga region's representatives, stating that over 150 homes were buried beneath the landslide on Friday. Formerly, officials had calculated that about 60 houses were influenced.
Regional authorities had initially speculated that over a hundred people perished. However, as of Sunday, only five bodies and a limb of another victim have been retrieved from the landslide.
Mud and rocks still shifting
The collapse of a piece of the mountain took place around 3 a.m. on Friday (local time) in the province of Enga. Death tolls from regional authorities have yet to be determined. Regional emergency services are on their way to the stricken area to facilitate local residents with essential supplies.
"Underneath the rubble are numerous homes that cannot be accessed," Aktoprak said on Saturday. The mud and rocks reach up to eight meters deep in certain places and are still moving in some locations, making the rescue mission for the emergency crew "perilous."
Papua New Guinea is situated in the southwestern Pacific and has a reputation for experiencing heavy rainfall. This year has already seen heavy downpours and flooding. Back in March, at least 23 individuals were killed in a landslide in a neighbouring province.
Read also:
- Floods: water levels remain critical in many places
- Snow chaos further restricts Bavaria
- Continuous operation in the flood areas
- Flood situation remains tense in many places
In light of the ongoing international concern, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working diligently to provide aid and assess the true extent of the damage caused by the natural disaster in Papua New Guinea. With the current estimates suggesting over 670 fatalities and numerous homes buried under mud and rocks, international assistance is crucial to ensure the survival and recovery of the affected community.
Recent reports indicate that rescue missions have been hindered by the instability of the area, as mud and rocks continue to shift, making the situation even more dangerous for emergency response teams. The International community must join efforts to mobilize resources and expertise to safely extract survivors and provide much-needed relief to the affected population in this time of crisis.
Source: www.ntv.de
