Papua New Guinea faces looming fears of second landslide and disease outbreak

Authorities in Papua New Guinea are on high alert as they fear a second landslide and a potential disease outbreak following a devastating mass-casualty disaster in the village of Yambali. The disaster occurred when a limestone mountainside sheared away, burying the village under tons of debris.

According to Serhan Aktoprak, chief of the International Organization for Migration’s mission in Papua New Guinea, recent rain has made the blanket of debris more unstable, with water streams and bodies trapped beneath the rubble. The UN agency is currently on the ground in Enga province, providing shelter to 1,600 displaced people.

The death toll is estimated to be around 670, with the government suggesting that more than 2,000 people may have been buried in the landslide. The fear of another landslide looms large, with concerns that up to 8,000 people may need to be evacuated.

The situation is dire, with the movement of the land posing a serious risk to surrounding communities. The decaying corpses and flowing water also raise concerns about potential disease outbreaks. The government has requested additional help from the United Nations and other nations, with Australia sending a disaster response team to assist in the recovery efforts.

As geotechnical experts and heavy earth-moving equipment are expected to reach the site soon, the focus is on preventing further disasters and providing support to those affected by this tragic event in Papua New Guinea.