Rescue efforts face challenges in Papua New Guinea after devastating landslide

A deadly disaster in Papua New Guinea has left as many as 2,000 people dead, with rescue operations becoming increasingly challenging due to a combination of factors including rainfall, in-fighting, and difficult terrain.

The disaster, which occurred on May 24, involved a massive landslide that swept over the village of Yambali in the country’s remote highlands. The aftermath of the landslide has left hundreds injured and killed, with the debris posing a major risk of further catastrophe.

Humanitarian organisations in the region have warned of a possible second landslide and a potential disease outbreak at the scene of the disaster. The unstable blanket of debris, recent rain, and trapped water streams are making rescue efforts even more difficult.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that 670 villagers have died, while the Papua New Guinea government believes that over 2,000 people were buried in the landslide. So far, only six bodies have been retrieved from the rubble.

The situation is dire, with concerns about the decaying corpses posing serious health risks and the need to evacuate thousands of people from the area. The United Nations and various countries, including Australia, are providing assistance in the form of geotechnical experts, heavy earth-moving equipment, and financial aid.

As rescue operations continue and the risk of further landslides looms, the affected population, including displaced individuals and children, are in urgent need of support. The heartbreaking stories of families searching for their missing loved ones in the rubble highlight the devastating impact of this disaster on the community.