The Papua New Guinea government said the massive landslide that took place three days ago has buried 2,000 people. The chances of finding survivors are becoming slim. The UN National Disaster Centre gave the new number in a letter to the UN on Monday.
Government’s figures contradict UN’s
The government figures contradict the UN’s figures which say over 670 people have died. The variance reflects the difficulty of getting an accurate population estimate in the remote South Pacific island.
The tragedy took place on Friday night. The landslide crashed through six villages in the Maip-Mulitaka district in the country’s north at around 3 am when most of the community were asleep. More than 150 houses were buried beneath debris almost two stories high.
Residents are using spades, sticks, and bare hands to try and shift the debris and reach any survivors even 72 hours after the landslide. Only seven bodies have been found so far.
Residents lose entire families
Resident Evit Kambu said that he had lost 18 members of his family that day. “But I cannot retrieve the bodies so I am standing here helplessly.”
Heavy equipment and aid have been slow to arrive due to the remote location. Meanwhile, tribal warfare nearby has forced aid workers to travel in convoys escorted by soldiers and return to the provincial capital at night.
Papua New Guinea govt outlines plan of action
Prime Minister James Marape’s office said the disaster was being handled by PNG emergency authorities. Marape was in the capital Port Moresby preparing for the return of parliament on Tuesday, where he faces a no-confidence motion.
Australia has announced an initial A$2.5 million ($1.66 million) aid package late on Monday. It said it would send technical experts to help rescue and recovery. The Australian Defence Force is already providing logistical support.
China said it would heed the needs of Papua New Guinea and provide assistance within China’s capabilities for disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction.
(REUTERS)
