Papua New Guinea requests assistance after landslide buries more than 2,000 people | Global News

A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left more than 2,000 people feared buried alive, according to a government official who has formally requested international assistance. The tragedy occurred in the remote highland village of Yambali in Enga province, where the landslide caused major destruction.

The United Nations had initially estimated 670 casualties, but the government figure provided by the acting director of the National Disaster Center, Luseta Laso Mana, is significantly higher. Despite efforts to recover bodies, only five have been found so far, raising questions about the accuracy of the death toll.

The International Organization for Migration, working closely with the government, has not revised its estimate of 670 deaths pending further evidence. The challenging conditions on the ground, including tribal warfare and lack of reliable census data, make it difficult to determine the exact number of casualties.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged support for the government’s response efforts. The landslide not only claimed lives but also buried a section of the province’s main highway, hindering relief efforts.

As the government grapples with the scale of the disaster, efforts are underway to provide emergency supplies to the displaced survivors. Traumatized villagers are divided over the use of heavy machinery to recover bodies, highlighting the emotional toll of the tragedy.

The international community stands ready to offer additional assistance as Papua New Guinea faces the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.