Over 2,000 buried in Papua New Guinea landslide, hundreds declared dead and missing
A massive landslide in Papua New Guinea has resulted in hundreds of deaths and missing individuals. More than 2,000 people were buried due to this natural disaster, which happened on Friday. Government officials gave insight into the extent of the disaster on Sunday, however, the number of victims is expected to rise. In the catastrophic landslide that hit Papua New Guinea on Friday, the death toll is feared to exceed 670 according to multiple sources, including NBC News and the International Organization for Migration. This figure is expected to rise as relief efforts continue. More than 2,000 people were initially reported to be buried, with over 4,000 likely affected overall as per Reuters. Despite the dangerous conditions, including unstable terrain and prevalent tribal warfare, emergency responders have been working tirelessly to move survivors to safer ground. Proactive measures are also being taken by humanitarian groups to address the impact of this disaster on the local communities.
Hundreds of people are dead and unaccounted for after a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea buried more than 2,000 people.
The landslide occurred on Friday, but government officials visited the site of the disaster on Sunday and said that the death toll was estimated to be 670, a number that is expected to grow as rescue teams claw through the rubble.
The landslide struck at 3 a.m., when most residents were asleep, further compounding the tragedy.
In a letter to the United Nations, Lusete Laso Mana, an official in the national disaster center, said that rescue efforts have been challenging given that the ground remains unstable, according to the New York Times. Mana said that there is an “ongoing danger to both the rescue teams and survivors alike.”
“The landslide buried more than 2,000 people alive and caused major destruction to buildings, food gardens and caused major impact on the economic lifeline of the country,” Mana wrote.
In addition to those who were trapped in the rubble, the U.N. estimated that 250 more homes have been abandoned due to fears of further slippage and the landslide has displaced around 1,250 residents.
“This situation necessitates immediate action and international support to mitigate further losses and provide essential aid to those affected,” said Anne Mandal, a spokeswoman for the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration.
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The White House also sent its condolences to those affected by the landslide. In a statement, President Joe Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden were “heartbroken” by the deaths.
“Our prayers are with all the families impacted by this tragedy and all the first responders who are putting themselves in harm’s way to help their fellow citizens,” Biden said.
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