Friday’s landslide in northern Papua New Guinea is likely to have been much deadlier than originally thought, Serhan Aktoprak, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the country.
In a media interview, Aktoprak said the community of Yambali village, located at the foot of a mountain in remote Enga province, is buried in six to eight meters of soil.
150 houses are believed to be buried, the senior U.N. official said, about 90 more than previously reported. About 670 people are believed to be underground andHopes of finding them alive diminishยป.
IOM has six humanitarian workers on site, along with staff from other UN agencies, NGOs and government bodies. Conditions remain dangerous for workers; The water continues to go down the mountain and the terrain continues to slide. The rockfall also affects relief efforts.
The landslide has displaced about 1,000 people, and death toll feared to rise. Aktoprak said helpers are using all available utensils, such as shovels and sticks, in an attempt to locate bodies.
Heavy machinery
Debris covering large stretches of the only road leading to Enga province They have limited access to the rescue sitebut heavy machinery is expected to arrive on Sunday to help in the recovery efforts.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the United Nations Office in Papua New Guinea said that communications infrastructure and access roads to the affected site have been damaged.
An Emergency Response Coordination Team has been created to lead relief efforts, comprising the Enga Provincial Disaster Coordination Office, the Department of Health, the Provincial Works Department, the police, the Defense Forces and The United Nations.
A rapid initial impact assessment carried out by the team identified the immediate need for food, shelter and medical supplies.
“The United Nations is monitoring the situation closely, in collaboration with national and provincial government authorities, including other partners to determine the extent of damage, casualties and possible assistance that may be necessary for those affected,” concludes the release.
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