A devastating landslide occurred in a remote area of Papua New Guinea on Friday evening. According to the UN, about 670 people are feared dead. “It is estimated that 150 houses are now buried,” the organization said.
According to a local newspaper, the village of Yambali completely disappeared under the earth. More than 3,000 people lived in the affected remote area (Enga province). Footage from the crash scene shows residents climbing over huge boulders and pulling bodies from the rubble.
The search for buried victims continues under extremely difficult circumstances. Access to a village was blocked and the area was initially only accessible by helicopter. On Saturday it said the ground was still moving and there was a risk of further landslides.
Heavy equipment is missing
There was also a lack of heavy equipment for rescue operations on site. Neighbors resorted to axes and machetes to uncover buried victims. Regional emergency services provided people with food and medicine. The Australian and American governments offered their assistance.
The accident happened around 3 a.m. (local time) on Friday. Part of a mountain came loose. Only a few bodies have been recovered so far.
The country of Papua New Guinea is located north of Australia. Due to its proximity to the equator, heavy rain showers occur regularly. The island state, which has about ten million inhabitants, is also located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes happen there all the time.
Source: Krone
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