Local media said on Saturday that a large landslide that destroyed a secluded village in northern Papua New Guinea buried over 300 persons and over 1,100 buildings.
The avalanche that struck Kaokalam village in Enga Province, some 600 km (370 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby, at around three in the morning on Friday is thought to have killed hundreds of people (1900 GMT on Thursday).
More than 300 persons and 1,182 houses were buried in the landslide in the Pacific island north of Australia, according to the Papua New Guinea Post Courier, which quoted Aimos Akem, a member of the nation’s parliament. When Reuters reached out to Akem via social media for comment, he did not reply right away.
According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the landslide in the province’s Mulitaka district had affected over six villages as of Saturday.
A DFAT official said in a statement, “Australia’s High Commission in Port Moresby is in close contact with PNG authorities for further assessments on the extent of the damage and casualties.”
Four bodies have been removed from the region after rescue personnel arrived at the sparsely populated area, where the death toll is anticipated to grow, according to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday.
According to the broadcaster, the only way to approach the location is by helicopter because the landslide has closed highway access.
In social media footage shared by villager Ninga Role, individuals can be seen scrambling over boulders, toppled trees, and dirt mounds in an attempt to find survivors. In the background, the sound of women crying can be heard.
According to Prime Minister James Marape, the Department of Works and Highways, the Defence Force, and disaster officials were supporting relief and recovery activities.
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