SYDNEY, May 27 (NNN-AAP) – The Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Disaster Centre (NDC), has confirmed that more than 2,000 people were buried alive after a massive landslide disaster occurred on Friday in Enga Province.
Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in the Pacific island country, Serhan Aktoprak, said that, the United Nations (UN) migration agency received the statement today.
According to the statement, issued by the centre’s acting director, Lusete Laso Mana, the disaster also caused major destruction to buildings and food gardens, as well as, led to a major impact on the economic lifeline of PNG.
“The main highway to Porgera Mine is completely blocked. The situation remains unstable, as the landslip continues to shift slowly, posing ongoing danger to both the rescue teams and survivors alike,” said Mana.
The acting director also noted that, a joint government team inspected the affected village, yesterday and presented a cheque of 500,000 kinas (about 128,796 U.S. dollars) to the Enga Provincial Government, to provide immediate relief assistance.– NNN-AAP
