A landslide in remote villages of Papua New Guinea has buried nearly 1,200 houses and at least 670 people. Reuters reported on Saturday, June 25, citing local media, that at 3 a.m. on Friday, the landslide devastated the village of Kwakalama, located 600 kilometers northwest of the capital and in the Enga Highlands. The Australian Foreign Ministry has also stated that the landslide has affected six villages in the Molitaka region of Papua New Guinea. With a population of 10 million, Papua New Guinea is the second-largest country in the Pacific after Australia and is located north of that country. Australian rescue teams have been dispatched to Papua New Guinea and have so far recovered four bodies from the debris. The landslide has destroyed communication routes to the village of Kwakalama and surrounding areas, leaving residents facing severe shortages of drinking water, food, and shelter. Reports indicate that the landslide is still ongoing, and the actual death toll may be higher than current estimates. Images shared on social media show people climbing rocks to reach areas buried under mud and struggling to find individuals buried beneath uprooted trees, rocks, and debris. Local and international media report that rescue efforts can only be conducted by helicopter, as all roads have been completely destroyed. However, a medical team was successfully dispatched to the area by helicopter yesterday, but aid is progressing slowly due to the devastation of the village. A UN official stated that the landslide occurred in an area the size of three to four football fields, but the crowd density in the same area was high.
At least 670 people buried due to landslide in Papua New Guinea
A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has buried at least 670 people and destroyed nearly 1,200 homes, causing severe shortages of essential supplies. Rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing landslides and destroyed infrastructure, with international aid teams working to assist the affected areas. This event highlights the vulnerability of remote communities to natural disasters.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A landslide in Papua New Guinea has buried at least 670 people and destroyed nearly 1,200 homes, severely impacting local communities. Rescue efforts are hindered by ongoing landslides and damaged infrastructure.
- The landslide occurred in the village of Kwakalama, affecting six villages in total.
- Rescue operations are complicated by destroyed communication routes and ongoing landslides.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Papua New Guinea is prone to natural disasters due to its mountainous terrain and climate, making communities vulnerable to landslides and other geological events.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%