Thousands are being forced to evacuate on Tuesday, May 28, in Papua New Guinea, where officials have declared a state of emergency due to an ongoing landslide following a deadly incident the week of May 19. More than 2,000 people are believed to have been buried alive by a landslide in Papua New Guinea’s remote northern highlands last week, according to government officials.
The exact death toll remains unclear, with only five bodies recovered so far.
“We have a situation that is getting worse and worse every moment,” Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the U.N. migration agency’s mission in Papua New Guinea, said. “As time goes in such a massive undertaking, the number will remain fluid.”
The landslide has destroyed buildings and blocked the main highway, creating major obstacles for relief workers.
Heavy machinery has been brought in to assist, but officials say the situation remains unstable due to shifting debris.
“This situation necessitates immediate action and international support to mitigate further losses and provide essential aid to those affected,” said Anne Mandal, a spokesperson for the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape said the government is working with international organizations to assess the damage and determine the need for further support.