2024 Enga landslide
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (May 2024) |
| Date | May 24, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 03:00 PGT (UTC+10:00) |
| Location | Maip Muritaka Rural LLG, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Coordinates | 5°14′44″S 143°15′39″E / 5.245579°S 143.260882°E |
| Cause | Mw4.5 earthquake on 18 May, gold mining and/or heavy rains (suspected)[1][2] |
| Deaths | 100–1,000+ (unconfirmed) |
| Missing | 3,000+ |
On 24 May 2024, a landslide occurred in Maip Muritaka Rural LLG, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, killing an estimated 100 to 1,000 people.[3][4]
Background[edit]
Papua New Guinea has regularly experienced fatal landslides, possibly due to its mountainous terrain, weather, and climate. In 2024, the country saw intense rainfall and flooding.[2] One landslide in April killed 14 people, while another a month prior killed at least 21.[5]
Cause[edit]
On 18 May, a Mw 4.5 earthquake occurred 105 km (65 mi) west of where the landslide occurred. It struck 126.2 km (78.4 mi) below the surface.[6] A local said this may have caused the landslide.[1] The Red Cross said that there was no indication that the earthquake caused it, instead attributing it to either gold mining or heavy rain.[2]
Impact[edit]
Unofficial estimations of the death toll vary greatly, with ABC News and other sources suggesting 100 killed[3] and the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier putting the death toll at over 1,000.[4] These numbers were not confirmed by government officials.[7] At least four bodies have been recovered,[4] while four people were rescued. At least 50 homes were confirmed to have been destroyed.[8]
The landslide occurred at approximately 03:00 PGT on 24 May (17:00 UTC on 23 May),[9] after a large amount of debris was dislodged from Mount Mungalo.[2] It affected six villages in Maip Muritaka Rural LLG.[10] In Kaokalam village alone, dozens of houses were destroyed and an estimated 300 people died. It blocked a highway near the Porgera Gold Mine, and the main highway leading into Kaokalam, causing concerns over the supply of fuel and goods.[11][1][12] Another 3,000 people were buried in Yambali village.[8] An official of the International Organization for Migration estimated that the area covered by the landslide was the equivalent of between "three and four football fields".[7]
Aftermath[edit]
Prime Minister James Marape announced that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force was sent to the scene to conduct relief work, recover bodies and rebuild destroyed infrastructure. International humanitarian agency CARE and the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society said that they were assessing the situation.[13][14][15] Australia also said it was prepared to assist in humanitarian efforts.[7] Rescue work was hampered by large rocks and fallen trees,[16] with the Red Cross estimating that it would take up to two days for humanitarian assistance to arrive.[2] According to ABC News, only helicopters can access Kaokalam.[17] Some locals acted as first responders.[18]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Papua New Guinea landslide: More than 100 people feared dead in remote region". CNN. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e "Papua New Guinea: Large landslide causes 'loss of life and property'". Le Monde. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b "Huge landslide strikes remote village in Papua New Guinea, with 100 people feared dead". ABC News. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "More than 1000 people perish in massive landslide in Enga Province". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Why does Papua New Guinea experience so many fatal landslides — and what can be done?". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ National Earthquake Information Center (24 May 2024). "M 4.5 - 96 km WNW of Porgera, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b c McGuirk, Rod (24 May 2024). "More than 100 people believed killed by a landslide in Papua New Guinea, Australian media report". Associated Press. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Hundreds feared dead after huge landslide in Papua New Guinea". Radio New Zealand. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea: Hundreds feared killed after landslide buries remote village". Sky News. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea landslide: fears up to 100 dead in remote northern region". The Guardian. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Hundreds Feared Dead After Landslide Hits Remote Papua New Guinea Village". Citizen TV. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "More than 100 feared dead in massive landslide in Papua New Guinea". CBS News. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea: Many feared dead in massive landslide". BBC. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "More than 100 feared dead in remote region of Papua New Guinea hit by deadly landslide". CNN. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Dozens feared dead after 'massive' landslide hits Papua New Guinea". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Ray, Siladitya. "Dozens Feared Dead After Major Landslide In Remote Papua New Guinea Village". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "More than 100 people believed killed by a landslide in Papua New Guinea, Australian media report". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "More than 100 feared dead in Papua New Guinea landslide". Voice of America. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
External links[edit]
- Eyewitness video captures landslide 'catastrophe' in Papua New Guinea (video of the aftermath of the landslide published by NBC News)
- Hundreds feared dead after landslide strikes Papua New Guinea village (photos of the aftermath published by Hindustan Times)