More than 4,000 people were living in the area affected by the massive landslide that leveled villages in Papua New Guinea's Enga province, according to aid group CARE Australia.
Hundreds of people are feared dead in the landslide that hit the Kaokalam community, about 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby, at around 3 a.m. Friday (local time).
According to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at least six villages were affected by the landslide. The Post Courier newspaper in Papua New Guinea reports that more than 300 people and 1,182 houses were buried in the mud.
Australian television reports that the search and rescue operation continues under adverse conditions as the affected area is only accessible by by helicopter, since the roads are blocked. At the same time, fears are expressed about the risk of new landslides. "Many more homes could be at risk" if the landslides continue, warned a spokesman for CARE Australia.
The aid organization points out that many people displaced by ethnic conflict had taken refuge in the affected area.
In February, 26 people were killed. ambushed in Enga province, where a surge in tribal violence has prompted Prime Minister James Marape to give the military expanded powers to restore law and order.
Source: APE-MPE
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