In the remote and densely populated Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, a massive landslide occurred on May 26, 2024. The disaster buried more than 2,000 people alive according to officials from the National Disaster Center (NDC) in a letter to the United Nations. The landslide caused major destruction to buildings and food gardens and had significant economic impact on the country.
The rescue efforts have been ongoing but challenging due to a blocked highway and unstable ground. Lusete Laso Mana, an official from the NDC, stated in a letter that 'the main highway to the area is blocked' and that 'the ground remains unstable as water flows beneath the rocks, posing ongoing danger to both rescue teams and survivors alike.'
The region is known for its remote jungle terrain and is home to the Porgera gold mine operated by Barrick Gold in collaboration with Zijin Mining. The area, which sits just north of Australia, has a population of around 12 million people who are divided along tribal, ethnic and linguistic lines. Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources but largely underdeveloped and prone to natural disasters.
The first excavator reached the site late on Sunday, more than two days after the landslide. Six bodies have been retrieved so far.
Evit Kambu, a local resident whose 18 family members were buried in the disaster, expressed her helplessness as she could not retrieve their bodies. She stated 'But I cannot retrieve the bodies so I am standing here helplessly.'
The population of those affected by the landslide is difficult to determine as Papua New Guinea's last credible census was in 2000 and many people live in remote mountainous villages.
CARE International estimates that 4,000 people lived near the affected area. The latest UN death toll stands at more than 670, but officials warn that far more victims may still be trapped under the rubble.
