A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has buried more than 2,000 people, officials confirmed Monday, as rescue teams race against time in treacherous conditions to find survivors. The disaster struck at 3 a.m. Friday while villages slept, engulfing six communities in the Maip-Mulitaka district under debris as high as two stories.🏔️
Key Challenges:
- Remote mountainous terrain hampers aid delivery and rescue operations.
- No heavy machinery: Locals rely on spades, sticks, and their hands to dig.
- Discrepancies in casualty counts due to outdated census data (last reliable one in 2000).
With only seven bodies recovered so far, survivors hold onto hope despite fading chances. A UN video captured emotional scenes as villagers mourned during a funeral procession, wailing and weeping behind a coffin. 😢
Why It Matters: This tragedy highlights vulnerabilities in disaster response for remote communities. As global citizens, understanding these challenges fosters empathy and drives calls for better preparedness.🌍
Reference(s):
Papua New Guinea says more than 2,000 people buried in landslide
cgtn.com