Papua New Guinea Government Requests International Help After Landslide Buries Over 2,000 People

A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left more than 2,000 people feared buried alive, according to a government official who has formally requested international assistance. The landslide, which occurred in a remote highland village in the country’s mountainous interior, has caused major destruction and only five bodies have been recovered so far.

The United Nations had initially estimated the death toll at 670, but the government figure of over 2,000 is significantly higher. The International Organization for Migration is working closely with the government to coordinate the international response, but has not changed its estimate pending new evidence.

The challenging conditions on the ground, including the village’s remote location and tribal warfare in the province, have made it difficult for relief efforts to reach the affected area. The lack of reliable census data in Papua New Guinea also adds to the challenges of determining the scale of the disaster.

The government estimates that the landslide will have a major economic impact on the entire country. Efforts to recover bodies and provide emergency supplies to displaced survivors are ongoing, but the situation remains unstable due to the shifting ground.

As the government works to assess the full extent of the disaster and provide support to those affected, the international community stands ready to offer additional assistance at this challenging time.