In the wake of a devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea’s Enga province, the United Nations estimates that over 670 people have lost their lives. Serhan Aktoprak, chief of the UN Migration Agency’s mission in the South Pacific nation, revealed the staggering figures on Sunday, highlighting a tragedy far worse than initially believed.
“The scale of the impact is much greater than we first thought,” Aktoprak told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He reported that more than 150 homes have been buried under debris reaching depths of six to eight meters, suggesting the true extent of the disaster is still unfolding.
The affected area remains perilous, with continuous rockfalls and landslides endangering both survivors and rescue efforts. Authorities have evacuated approximately 1,250 survivors from the immediate vicinity as the instability of the terrain poses ongoing risks.
The landslide has not only claimed lives but also disrupted communities and livelihoods, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters. Relief organizations are mobilizing to provide aid, but access remains a significant challenge due to the dangerous conditions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
