Massive landslide buries over 300 in Papua New Guinea

Over 300 people and over 1,100 houses were buried by a massive landslide that leveled a remote village in northern Papua New Guinea, local media reported Saturday.

Hundreds are feared dead in the landslide that hit Kaokalam village in Enga Province, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby, around 3:00 a.m. on Friday (1900 GMT on Thursday).

The landslide in the Pacific nation north of Australia buried over 300 people and 1,182 houses, the Papua New Guinea Post Courier said, citing comments from the country’s parliament member, Aimos Akem. Akem did not immediately respond to Reuter’s request for comment via social media.

On Saturday, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the landslide in the province’s Mulitaka region had impacted more than six villages.

“Australia’s High Commission in Port Moresby is in close contact with PNG authorities for further assessments on the extent of the damage and casualties,” a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp reported on Saturday that four bodies had been retrieved from the area after emergency teams reached the sparsely populated area, where the death toll is expected to rise.

The broadcaster reported the landslide had blocked highway access, making helicopters the only way to reach the area.

Social media footage posted by villager Ninga Role showed people clambering over rocks, uprooted trees and mounds of dirt searching for survivors. Women could be heard weeping in the background.

Prime Minister James Marape said disaster officials, the Defense Force, and the Department of Works and Highways were assisting with relief and recovery efforts.