The U.N. migration agency announced that over 670 people are presumed dead after a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, significantly revising the initial estimate of around 300 fatalities.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) updated the death toll following new assessments amid ongoing rescue efforts in Papua New Guinea. The operations are hindered by continuous land movement, falling rocks, and cracking soil, worsening the already dangerous conditions.
To date, only five bodies have been recovered from the debris. The IOM’s estimate relies on reports from local officials in Yambali Village, Enga province, where over 150 homes were engulfed by the landslide on Friday.
According to Serhan Aktoprak, head of IOM’s mission in Papua New Guinea, more than 250 houses in proximity have been vacated, with residents seeking temporary refuge elsewhere. Approximately 1,250 individuals have been displaced due to the disaster.
The local community has been using basic tools to unearth bodies buried under the landslide, which also destroyed an elementary school, several small businesses, and essential infrastructure.
The region’s geography, characterized by its remoteness and rugged terrain, significantly hinders rescue and aid distribution. The government and the PNG Defence Force support current efforts, though essential heavy machinery has not yet arrived at the site.
Amid these tragic events, the community is deeply grieving, with excavators not yet permitted for recovery operations until local mourning practices are observed. The IOM has indicated that hopes are fading for those still buried.
The government plans to set up two care and evacuation centres to accommodate displaced people. Meanwhile, humanitarian efforts, including distributing water, food, and other essential supplies, are underway to support the affected population.
