Papua New Guinea Landslide Buries Estimated 2,000 Villagers, Only 6 Bodies Recovered

On May 24, 2024, a massive disaster struck Papua New Guinea, sparking fears of a second landslide and disease outbreak threatening the area. noreferrer">landslide struck a highland settlement in Papua New Guinea's central Enga province, burying an estimated 2,000 people under rubble. After several days of frantic digging with makeshift tools, only six bodies have been recovered.

The disaster has left the affected community in shock, with aid workers reporting that children have been rendered speechless by the traumatic event. Supplies of food and medicine began arriving at the scene on May 29, but rescue teams have abandoned hope of finding survivors under the meters of mud and rubble.

Locals have started holding funeral ceremonies, known as 'haus krai,' which can last for weeks. The Papua New Guinea government has estimated the massive scale of the disaster, with thousands feared buried under the landslide.

Why this matters: This disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities in Papua New Guinea to natural disasters and the need for effective emergency response systems. The consequences of this landslide will be felt for a long time, with potential long-term impacts on the local economy, infrastructure, and the well-being of the affected families.

The landslide affected a 150-to-200-meter stretch of the Enga province's main highway. The United Nations estimates that 670 villagers died in the disaster, which immediately displaced 1,650 survivors. The area remains unstable, making it difficult to use heavy machinery for fear of triggering further landslides.

A dispute between local landowners and a nearby gold mine, Porgera Gold Mine, is hindering the use of earthmoving equipment to clear the debris. Some survivors want the highway debris left as a memorial to remember their dead.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, visited the site and expressed appreciation to global leaders who sent condolences, including U.K. King Charles III, the United States, China, India, France, Malaysia, and the Czech Republic. Marape emphasized the need for a full assessment of the stability of the area before using heavy machinery.

UNICEF's Angela Kearney expressed concern about the traumatized children's unwillingness to interact, citing the risk of severe-acute malnutrition. More than 40% of the region's population is under 16 years old, and around half of Papua New Guinea's children are undernourished.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing humanitarian assistance and responding to the emergency. An Australian disaster response team, including geotechnical experts and drones, is expected to arrive soon to assist in the response efforts.

The remote location of the disaster site, 400 kilometers from the city of Lae, has made it difficult to access and respond to the disaster. The destruction of parts of the road and the instability of the ground have further complicated the response efforts.

The Australian government has announced an initial aid package of 2.5 million Australian dollars to support the relief efforts. The government will also provide long-term logistical support for clearing debris, recovering bodies, and supporting displaced people.

The landslide in Papua New Guinea's central Enga province has left a community in mourning and a nation coming to terms with the scale of the disaster. As rescue efforts continue, the focus shifts to recovery and support for the affected families.

Key Takeaways

• Massive landslide in Papua New Guinea's Enga province buries 2,000 people, killing an estimated 670.
• Only 6 bodies recovered after several days of digging with makeshift tools.
• Aid workers report traumatized children, risk of disease outbreak, and need for effective emergency response.
• Dispute over gold mine and unstable ground hinder use of heavy machinery for debris clearance.
• International aid pours in, including Australian government's initial 2.5 million AUD package.