Latest reports from Papua New Guinea indicate an alarming number of casualties following a devastating landslide on Friday. According to government officials and international organizations, over 2,000 individuals are believed to have been buried alive in the disaster.
Papua New Guinea is reeling from the aftermath of a catastrophic landslide that has reportedly claimed the lives of over 2,000 people. The incident occurred on Friday in the remote town of Bulolo, located in the province of Morobe.
According to a statement released by Papua New Guinea's disaster relief agency, the landslide struck early Friday morning, burying a small village under tons of mud and debris. The agency has confirmed that at least 200 people have been declared dead, and the number is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The United Nations has also expressed deep concern over the situation. A spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the landslide has had a devastating impact on the local community.
"The loss of life is tragic, and our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones," said the spokesperson. "OCHA is working closely with local authorities to provide assistance and support."
The landslide occurred in a mountainous region of Papua New Guinea that is prone to landslides during the rainy season. However, the scale of this particular disaster has surprised even experienced emergency responders.
"We have never seen anything like this before," said a spokesperson for the Papua New Guinea Red Cross. "The village was completely destroyed, and we are still trying to locate survivors."
Search and rescue teams from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, the police, and the Red Cross are currently on the ground, working to locate survivors and recover bodies. However, heavy rain and difficult terrain are hampering rescue efforts.
The landslide has also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges. This is making it difficult for救援人员reach the affected area and provide assistance.
The Papua New Guinea government has declared a state of emergency in the affected area. The government is working with international organizations to provide aid to the survivors.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing medical assistance and water purification tablets to the survivors. The ICRC is also helping to reunite families who have been separated by the disaster.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing food rations to the survivors. The WFP is also working with local authorities to assess the need for further food assistance.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to the survivors. UNICEF is also providing psychological support to children who have been affected by the disaster.
The Papua New Guinea government has expressed its gratitude to the international community for its support. The government said that it is working closely with international organizations to provide assistance to the survivors and rebuild the affected area.
