A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has left thousands of people buried under debris, according to reports from the National Disaster Center.
The disaster struck the village of Yambali on Friday, May 24, resulting in the deaths of at least 670 people. An estimated 2,000 more individuals are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams have managed to extract three survivors and six bodies from the wreckage. The landslide has engulfed at least 150 residential houses under a thick layer of soil and stones.
The Largest Disaster in 6 Years
This disaster is the largest recorded in the country in the past six years. The government has allocated 500,000 kina (approximately $130,000) to support relief efforts.
The situation remains precarious, with the earth still shifting, posing a threat to both rescue teams and survivors. As a precaution, residents from 250 nearby houses have been evacuated.
The massive landslide occurred in the central region of the country, affecting the villages of Kaokalam and Yambali, at around 3:00 a.m. local time on Friday.