According to the United Nations migration agency, the catastrophic landslide in Papua New Guinea may have resulted in the tragic loss of over 670 lives. This update, released on Sunday, confirms rescue operations persist in a highly challenging atmosphere.
Earlier reports from the media in the Oceania country, situated northwest of Australia, had predicted a death toll of 300 following Friday's massive landslide. However, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reckons the actual casualty count could be more than twice as high, as the full scale of the devastation remains uncertain and the threat of further landslides disrupts relief and rescue efforts significantly. Recovery teams have managed to recover only five bodies from the wreckage to date.
Information revealing the death toll came from officials located in Yambali Village, Enga province. According to these sources, over 150 homes vanished in the landslide on Friday, stated Serhan Aktoprak, the head of IOM's mission in Papua New Guinea. He further highlighted that the region is still witnessing landslides, rockfalls, ground cracking due to increasing pressure, and the flowing of groundwater, creating an extremely hazardous environment for everyone.
Residents have deserted over 250 houses in the surrounding areas due to the threat, taking refuge with family and friends. Consequently, approximately 1,250 people are homeless, IOM stated. Villagers are resorting to rudimentary tools to excavate bodies from the debris, Aktoprak added.
The IOM reported that the landslide had also swallowed an elementary school, small businesses, a guesthouse, and a petrol station, among others. The UN’s office in Papua New Guinea reported the recovery of five bodies from an area where 50 to 60 homes were destroyed. Several injuries were also reported, including at least 20 women and children.
The landslide focused mainly on an area that is largely populated by children, raising fears that the majority of the fatalities might be children aged 15 or younger.
Community members, especially the elders, are stricken by grief due to the magnitude of the tragedy, a sentiment echoed by social media footage uploaded by villagers and local media houses. The tragedy occurred near the Porgera gold mine, jointly operated by Barrick Gold and China's Zijin Mining.
Owing to the landslide, the Porgera Highway is now impassable, leaving the Porgera Gold Mine and other isolated locations in the Enga Province only accessible via helicopter.
Due to the location's geographical remoteness and challenging topography, relief and rescue efforts are progressing slowly.
IOM stated that public sentiment may block the usage of essential modern apparatus, like excavators, until the community feels they've adequately honoured their grief and mourning customs.
The government seeks to establish two emergency care centers to shelter those displaced by this calamity. Vital supplies such as bottled water, food, clothing, hygiene kits, and personal protective equipment are being dispatched to the affected area by a humanitarian convoy.
CARE Australia, an aid group, reported late on Saturday that around 4,000 people resided in the impacted zone, with the actual figure expected to be higher since the area serves as a refuge for people displaced by conflicts in neighbouring regions.
Earlier this year, in February, tribal conflict resulted in the killing of at least 26 men in Enga Province. The landslide has now compounded the issues, leaving debris up to eight meters deep over an area of 200 square kilometers, making relief efforts strenuous, according to CARE.
James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, announced that disaster officials, the Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways are lending their support in the ongoing relief and rescue operations.