Landslide in Papua New Guinea: A massive landslide has occurred in Kaokalam village in Enga province of Papua New Guinea. ABC News reported on Friday that more than 100 people are estimated to have died in this disaster, as a large number of people are buried under the ground. Villagers have recovered a large number of bodies from the spot. At present, the official death toll in this accident has not yet come.
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ABC News reported that the landslide occurred at around 3 am in Kaokalam village in Enga province, about 600 km northwest of Port Moresby. The Enga provincial administration says it has formed an emergency action team to quickly assess the damage caused by the accident. The team has asked local health facilities and NGOs to be ready to assist in relief efforts.
The village was situated on the slope of the hill
Local residents say that people were sleeping when the accident happened. The current death toll is above 100, although the government has not released the official number of people killed by the landslide. Elizabeth Laruma, president of the Porgera Women in Business Association, said that Kaokalam village is situated on the slope of the hill, due to the sliding of the mountain edge, the houses were buried under mud and trees.
Landslide occurred early in the morning
Landslide occurred while people were sleeping early in the morning and the whole village was fast asleep, Laruma said. Elizabeth Laruma said, “From what I can estimate, more than 100 people are buried under the ground.” Papua New Guinea police have not responded to ABC’s questions. Ninga Rol, a resident of Kaoklam village, said he is studying at Madang University, he got news of the damage this morning.
Bodies being pulled out of the rubble
Ninga Roll said at least four of his relatives were killed in the landslide. “I feel very sad and I feel sorry for the whole community,” he told ABC. They have lost their loved ones and their properties. Residents of the village say it is difficult to find the bodies. Videos shared on social media show residents climbing huge rocks and pulling out bodies from under debris and trees.
The road to Porgera town is blocked
Villagers say that many big stones and trees have fallen. Many buildings have collapsed, due to which it is difficult to quickly remove the bodies. The landslide has also blocked the access road to Porgera town, where there is a large gold mine. Due to the blockage of the road, there is a problem in delivering essential goods to the village. This landslide is also affecting the people working in Porgera town and the gold mine.
