පැපුවා නිව් ගිනියා මරණ ගණන ඉහළට

Rescue operations continue as over 2,000 feared dead in PNG landslide

Rescue operations by villagers are underway as over 2,000 people are feared dead in a landslide in Papua New Guinea.

According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, the landslide, which hit the Enga Province's highlands on May 24, has killed at least 670 people.

The Papua New Guinea National Disaster Center said that over 2,000 people are believed to have been buried alive by mud and rubble.

Meanwhile, while visiting remote village hit by a deadly landslide, Papua New Guinea PM Minister James Marape announced on Friday (May 31) that 20 million kina (about 5.1 million U.S. dollars) will be allocated for emergency response and initial recovery measures.

Marape thanked international aid donors for their support and praised the local government for its rapid relief response.

"In order to start post-disaster reconstruction, the central government will allocate 20 million kina to the Enga provincial government. I look forward to the people in the affected areas returning to normal life and rebuilding their homes comprehensively. The central government entrusts this important task to the Enga provincial government," said Marape.

• Tags:
• featured