A landslide occurred in Kaokalam village in Enga province, 600 kilometers northwest of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Local media in Papua New Guinea announced that more than 300 people were buried underground. In the news published by Papua New Guinea Post Courier, citing an unnamed member of parliament, it was stated that 1,100 houses were buried under the ground, and at least 6 villages in the Mulitaka region were affected by the landslide. Noting that lifeless bodies have been removed from the ground, authorities are worried that the loss of life will increase. While highways are closed to traffic due to landslides, transportation to the region is only possible by helicopter.
3900 PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape stated in his statement on the subject that defense officials, as well as search and rescue teams, continue their work in the region.
Enga province provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka said that 3,900 people were affected by the landslide.
“EVERY MINUTE THAT PASSES REDUCES OUR HOPE”
International Organization for Migration Papua New Guinea Representative Serhan Aktoprak stated that the children had to be separated from their families and said, “Everyone is looking for their missing people. Many people are still in shock. “Every minute that passes decreases our hopes and increases our disappointment,” he said.
(UAV)
