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Hundreds are feared dead in the landslide that hit Kaokalam
village in Enga Province, about 600 km (370 miles) northwest of
capital Port Moresby, around 3 a.m. on Friday (1900 GMT on
Thursday).
The landslide in the Pacific nation north of Australia buried
more than 300 people and 1,182 houses, the Papua New Guinea Post
Courier said, citing comments from a member of the country's
parliament, Aimos Akem. Akem did not immediately respond to
Reuters request for comment via social media.
More than six villages had been impacted by the landslide in the
province's Mulitaka region, Australia's Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said on Saturday.
"Australia’s High Commission in Port Moresby is in close contact
with PNG authorities for further assessments on the extent of
the damage and casualties," a DFAT spokesperson said in a
statement.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp reported on Saturday that four
bodies had been retrieved from the area after emergency teams
reached the sparsely populated area, where the death toll is
expected to rise.
The landslide has blocked highway access, making helicopters the
only way to reach the area, the broadcaster reported.
Social media footage posted by villager Ninga Role showed people
clambering over rocks, uprooted trees and mounds of dirt
searching for survivors. Women could be heard weeping in the
background.
Prime Minister James Marape has said disaster officials, the
Defense Force and the Department of Works and Highways were
assisting with relief and recovery efforts.
(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William Mallard
and Sonali Paul)
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