Papua New Guinea (PNG), abbreviated as PNG, experienced a massive landslide in the northern region on May 24, burying a remote village. According to a copy of a letter obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP), PNG reported to the United Nations on Monday (May 27) that more than 2,000 people were buried alive in the landslide.
AFP reported that the PNG National Disaster Centre told the UN office in the capital, Port Moresby, today that “over two thousand people were buried alive, leading to a major disaster.”
Last Friday (May 24), a large-scale collapse occurred on Mount Mungalo, burying many houses and people sleeping inside in a village on the mountainside of Enga Province. The once bustling village was almost wiped out.
The PNG National Disaster Centre stated that the landslide “caused severe damage to buildings, farmland, and had a significant impact on the country’s economic lifeline.”
In a letter received by UN officials this morning, the PNG National Disaster Centre pointed out that the main road to the Porgera Mine was “completely cut off.”
The letter stated, “Due to the slow movement of the landslide area, the situation remains unstable, posing continued danger to rescue teams and survivors alike.”
The PNG National Disaster Centre stated that the scale of this disaster requires immediate action and cooperation from all, including the military, central and local response personnel.
The disaster centre called on the UN to inform PNG’s partners and “other international friends” about the latest developments and mentioned that aid efforts need to be coordinated through the centre.
This news is according to the Central News Agency.