UN Officials Warn of Potential Second Landslide in Papua New Guinea, Over 2,000 Feared Buried

United Nations officials are urgently warning of a potential second landslide in Papua New Guinea, fearing that over 2,000 people may be buried alive. This follows a catastrophic landslide in the remote highlands of Enga province, which has already claimed hundreds of lives.

The initial disaster struck the village of Yambali on Friday at 3 a.m. local time, when a limestone mountainside sheared away, burying homes, infrastructure, and farmland under up to eight meters of debris. The UN estimates that 670 villagers have died, while local authorities believe the number of buried victims could exceed 2,000.

Why this matters: The potential second landslide in Papua New Guinea has significant humanitarian implications, threatening the lives of thousands of people. If the landslide occurs, it could lead to a massive loss of life, displacement of people, and a long-term impact on the local community and economy.

Only six bodies have been recovered so far, and the search and rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing rain, unstable ground, and the risk of another landslide. The affected population is estimated to be 7,849, with 42% of those affected being children under 16.

Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate amid fears of a second landslide. Evacuation centers have been established on either side of the debris heap, which spans an area equivalent to three or four football fields. An Australian disaster response team has arrived, including a geo-hazard assessment team and drones to help map the site.

The Papua New Guinea government has officially requested additional assistance from the UN and individual nations. The Australian government has pledged long-term logistical support, including clearing debris, recovering bodies, and supporting displaced people with an initial aid package of AUD 2.5 million.

Authorities are also concerned about a potential disease outbreak resulting from decaying bodies trapped beneath the debris. *“My biggest fear at the moment is corpses are decaying, water is flowing, and this is going to pose serious health risks in relation to contagious diseases,”* said Serhan Aktoprak, chief of the International Organization for Migration's mission in Papua New Guinea.

Local residents have been seen digging through muddy debris with their bare hands in search of their relatives' remains. “I have 18 of my family members being buried under the debris and soil that I am standing on, and a lot more family members in the village I cannot count,” said Evit Kambu, a local resident.

The landslide has disrupted the main highway into the region, complicating the delivery of aid. Heavy equipment and aid have been slow to reach the affected site, with residents using bare hands, spades, and sticks to excavate debris.

With the ground still unstable and the risk of another landslide threatening, the situation remains dire. The international community continues to mobilize resources to support the affected population and mitigate further risks.

Key Takeaways

• UN warns of potential 2nd landslide in Papua New Guinea, fearing 2,000+ people buried alive.
• Initial landslide in Enga province kills hundreds, with 670 confirmed dead and 2,000+ feared buried.
• Search and rescue efforts hampered by rain, unstable ground, and risk of another landslide.
• Thousands evacuated, with aid efforts complicated by disrupted highway and risk of disease outbreak.
• International community mobilizes resources to support affected population and mitigate further risks.