In the early hours of Friday (24th), around 3 a.m. local time, a large-scale landslide (also known as a mudslide) occurred in the Maip Mulitaka area of Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, a South Pacific island nation. Over 300 people and more than 1,100 houses were buried, with fears that hundreds may have lost their lives. Rescue efforts are facing significant challenges due to the complex terrain and damaged roads.
The disaster site is located approximately 600 kilometers (370 miles) northwest of the capital city of Port Moresby. Enga Province Governor Peter Ipatas told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the massive landslide caused “loss of life and property” affecting at least six villages.
Member of Parliament Amos Akem told The Guardian that over 300 people and 1,182 houses were buried under the landslide.
Prime Minister James Marape stated that he has not received a complete report on the situation yet but assured that authorities are working diligently to respond to the disaster.
“We are dispatching disaster response officials, the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, as well as personnel from the Department of Works and Transport to Enga to meet with provincial and local officials, and to commence rescue operations, search for the deceased, and rebuild infrastructure,” Marape said.
UN official Serhan Aktoprak, in an interview with the Associated Press (AP), mentioned that the affected area is approximately the size of three to four football fields. The severely affected Yambali village has a population of 3,895.
He cited information from rescue personnel dispatched from the provincial capital to the disaster site, saying, “The land is still sliding, making it difficult to operate on it.”
Although some houses were spared, the exact number of casualties remains unclear. Due to the “scale of the disaster,” the death toll could exceed 100.
Additionally, the disaster area faces a lack of water supply, interrupted power lines, and villagers may struggle to access food. Aktoprak emphasized the immediate need for providing shelter, non-food items such as blankets and sheets, food, and drinking water.
Australia, being a close neighbor and significant foreign aid provider to Papua New Guinea, has expressed readiness to offer assistance.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted on social media, expressing heartfelt sympathy for the people of Papua New Guinea affected by the landslide. She added, “As friends and partners, Australia stands ready to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.”
According to BBC, a rapid response team composed of medical and military personnel from the humanitarian organization Care Australia has arrived at the nearly isolated landslide site.
Due to blocked roadways caused by the landslide, rescue operations can only access the area via helicopters. Videos shared on social media show people climbing over rocks, uprooted trees, and debris in search of survivors.
In March of this year, a nearby province experienced a landslide that resulted in at least 23 deaths.