Survivors of a severe landslide in a secluded community in Papua New Guinea’s mountains are expecting receipt of vital supplies, such as food and water, provided by an urgent relief group. The disaster site was assessed, resulting in speculative reports of 100 fatalities and the obliteration of 60 homes due to a mountainside in Enga province collapsing a few hours before sunrise on Friday, says official reports. However, local news outlets suggest fatalities could total 300.
Serhan Aktoprak, who heads the International Organisation for Migration’s task force in the country, admitted that if local estimations of ruined homes were accurate, the death count might rise. Aktoprak expressed that he wouldn’t be shocked if casualties exceeded the reported 100 due to the enormity of the disaster. If indeed 60 homes were destroyed, the number of victims would most likely be significantly higher than the initial estimate.
Early Saturday morning, rescue workers only managed to retrieve three bodies from the massive strip of land covered with rocks, splintered wood and dirt that overwhelmed Yambali, a village home to about 4,000 residents and located 370 miles northwest of Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby. Aktoprak reports that medical aid was given to seven individuals, inclusive of a child; however, no details were provided regarding the nature of their injuries.
Aktoprak’s forecast is grim; he anticipates that the number of victims and injured individuals will surge dramatically. James Marape, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, stated on Friday that he intends to reveal more information regarding the extent of the ruins and fatalities once it is available.
All of the village’s cultivations, which form the basis of the populace’s farming lifestyle, were spoiled and the trio of streams the village relied on for potable water were also buried as a consequence of the landslide. Moreover, the main road in the region was made impassable by the incident. A supply convoy, originating from the provincial capital Wabag, left carrying essential items for extra relief, destined for the afflicted community 35 miles away. According to local villager Andrew Ruing, this humanitarian effort is sorely needed due to the desperation among the survivors.
In a recording presented by the Australian Broadcasting Corp, Ruing reported that residents were too shocked and burdened to express their distress or act. Because such an event was unprecedented in their history, they appealed for help from the national government, the public, and businesses alike.
Mr Aktoprak indicated that, in addition to sustenance and hydration, the immediate necessities of the villagers include housing and warming materials such as blankets. He expressed that aid efforts would be strategically focused on the most exposed sectors of the populace, namely children, women, elderly, and those with disabilities.
The region faced a power outage as the landslide, with remains measured between 20 to 26 feet thick, interrupted the power supply, as stated by Mr Aktoprak. The loose and unstable soil presents additional challenges both to the relief activities and to nearby settlements downstream.
Papua New Guinea, a country characterised by its diversity, is significantly populated by sustenance farmers and is linguistically rich with around 800 languages. Proper infrastructure like roads is quite scarce outside of its major cities.
Home to 10 million inhabitants, it ranks as the most dense South Pacific nation, second to Australia, which boasts a population of about 27 million.
Both the US President, Joe Biden, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, have confirmed their readiness to lend their support in addressing the aftermath of the landslide, according to reports from Associated Press and Reuters.