Authorities in Papua New Guinea are on high alert for a potential second landslide and disease outbreak following a devastating mass-casualty disaster in the village of Yambali. A United Nations official expressed concerns about water streams and bodies trapped beneath tons of debris, which could trigger another landslide.
The disaster occurred when a limestone mountainside sheared away, burying Yambali in boulders, earth, and splintered trees. Recent rain has made the blanket of debris more unstable, increasing the risk of another disaster.
The International Organization for Migration is providing assistance to 1,600 displaced people in Enga province, where the disaster took place. While the agency estimates 670 deaths, the Papua New Guinea government believes over 2,000 people may have been buried.
The government has requested additional help from the United Nations and other nations. An Australian disaster response team, including a geohazard assessment team and drones, is set to arrive to assist in mapping the site. Papua New Guinea's military is also mobilizing earth-moving equipment.
The landslide has already had significant impacts, burying a 200-meter stretch of the province's main highway. The arrival of heavy earth-moving machinery and international aid teams highlights the urgent need for support in the region.
