At least 100 people were killed Friday in a massive landslide that buried a village in a remote part of Papua New Guinea.
The landslide reportedly hit Kaokalam village in Enga province, about 370 miles northwest of the capital Port Moresby, local authorities said.
According to Sandis Tsaka, the provincial administrator of Engas, emergency response teams, including police, fire, and medical personnel, have been dispatched to the scene to assess the extent of the damage.
“The terrible landslide, which is being referred to as an unparalleled natural calamity, happened early this morning, resulting in significant losses to property and human casualties that are not yet known,” expressed Tsaka.
Additionally, a road leading to the town of Porgera—home of a sizable gold mine—had been blocked by the landslide.
Tsaka stated that clearing access to the Porgera road, “which was substantially damaged and blocked,” was part of the rescue efforts.
Earthquakes, floods, and landslides are among the frequent natural disasters that can strike Papua New Guinea.
At least 23 people perished in a landslide in a province that borders Enga in March.
