A catastrophic landslide in the remote village of Kaokalam in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, has buried more than 300 people and 1,182 houses. The landslide occurred around 3 AM on Friday, devastating the area approximately 600 km northwest of the capital, Port Moresby.Â
Local media, including the Papua New Guinea Post Courier, reported the tragedy, citing comments from Aimos Akem, a member of the country's parliament. Efforts to reach Akem for further comments have been unsuccessful. The landslide has affected more than six villages in the province's Mulitaka region.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) stated that Australia's High Commission in Port Moresby is in close contact with Papua New Guinea authorities to assess the full extent of the damage and casualties. Initial reports from Australia's ABC indicate that four bodies have been retrieved by emergency teams, but the death toll is expected to rise significantly.
The landslide has also blocked highway access, leaving helicopters as the only means to reach the affected area. Social media footage posted by villager Ninga Role shows people climbing over debris and searching for survivors amidst uprooted trees and mounds of dirt, with women heard weeping in the background.
Prime Minister James Marape announced that disaster officials, the Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways are involved in the relief and recovery efforts. The full scale of the disaster is still being determined as rescue operations continue.
