A devastating landslide has wreaked havoc on a remote village in northern Papua New Guinea, leaving hundreds feared dead as it obliterated dozens of homes and buried families alive. The tragedy struck Kaokalam village in the early hours of Friday, with more than 50 homes engulfed by the landslide, trapping residents who were still asleep. According to villager Ninga Role, the death toll stands at nearly 300, including his own brother and cousin.
Initial reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corp and local media suggest that over 100 people may have lost their lives in the disaster. Heartbreaking accounts reveal the desperate attempts of one man to save his two children, only to be tragically buried alongside his extended family.
Social media footage shared by Role depicts scenes of chaos and anguish, as survivors scramble over debris in search of loved ones. The vast expanse covered by the landslide presents significant challenges for rescue efforts, with rocks and trees obstructing access to buried homes.
The village, situated in Enga province, lies approximately 600 km north of the capital, Port Moresby. Prime Minister James Marape has pledged government assistance, mobilizing disaster officials, the PNG Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways to aid in relief efforts and reconstruction.
Despite the scale of the disaster, PNG police are yet to provide official comments. The landslide struck a section of highway near the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Niugini Ltd, a joint venture between Barrick Gold and China’s Zijin Mining. While the full extent of damage is still being assessed, the mine remains operational, with sufficient fuel and critical supplies on-site to sustain operations.