At least 2,000 people have been buried alive in Papua New Guinea’s massive landslide, the government announced on Monday, as treacherous terrain hampers aid efforts and lowers hopes of finding survivors. The landslide struck Yambali village in Enga province, in the country’s north, three days ago.
The National Disaster Centre updated the death toll in a letter to the UN, which had previously estimated over 670 deaths. These figures, based on local authorities’ estimates, have steadily risen since Friday’s disaster. The outdated census from 2000 makes accurate population estimates difficult, complicating rescue efforts.
“The situation remains unstable as the landslip continues to shift slowly, posing ongoing danger to both the rescue teams and survivors alike,” the National Disaster Centre stated.
Approximately 4,000 people were living near the affected area, according to Justine McMahon, the country director for CARE International Papua New Guinea. The landslide caused major destruction to buildings and food gardens, displacing about 1,250 people, burying over 150 houses, and forcing the abandonment of around 250 more.
Emergency crews, led by Papua New Guinea’s defence personnel, have struggled to reach the site due to unstable terrain and nearby tribal warfare. The first excavator reached the site late on Sunday. Social media footage showed villagers using shovels, sticks, and bare hands to find survivors, with women weeping in the background.
Six bodies have been retrieved so far, but the UN warns that the number of possible deaths could change as rescue efforts continue. In a rare moment of hope, residents rescued a couple trapped under rubble after hearing their cries for help. Johnson and Jacklyn Yandam described their rescue as a miracle, grateful for their survival after being trapped for nearly eight hours.
“The houses are buried under around eight meters of dirt. So there is quite a lot of debris to get through,” McMahon said. The UN migration agency noted that water continued to flow under the debris, making it extremely dangerous for residents and the rescue team to clear the area.
Tribal violence in the region has raised security concerns, with military escorts required for convoys of rescue teams. The landslide also hit a section of highway near the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold, though the mine has sufficient supplies to continue operations for a time.
The landslide has prompted urgent calls for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms to prevent future tragedies of this scale.
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