Papua New Guinea has alerted the United Nations to a devastating landslide that reportedly buried more than 2,000 people in a remote village, according to a letter obtained by AFP. The country’s national disaster center conveyed to the UN office in Port Moresby that the landslide, triggered by a collapse on Mount Mungalo, resulted in significant destruction.
The catastrophe struck a once-vibrant hillside village in Enga province, virtually obliterating it as homes and residents were engulfed in the early hours of Friday. The disaster center highlighted the extensive damage inflicted on buildings, agricultural lands, and the country’s economic infrastructure.
Moreover, the critical highway leading to the Porgera Mine has been rendered impassable due to complete blockage, as stated in the letter received by UN officials on Monday morning. The situation remains precarious as ongoing landslips pose continuous threats to both rescue operations and survivors.
In response to the crisis in Papua New Guinea, the disaster center called for immediate and collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including the army and national and regional responders. It urged the UN to disseminate information to Papua New Guinea’s development partners and international allies, emphasizing the need for coordinated assistance through the disaster center.