The landslide occurred at around 3am on May 24 (local time) in Kaokalam village in Enga province, about 600km north of the capital Port Mosby. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and local media estimated that more than 100 people were killed. Local media feared the death toll could be higher as the landslide occurred while people were sleeping.
Local media reported that the landslide affected operations at the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold. Images on social media showed local residents trying to pull out bodies buried under rocks and fallen trees, but said it was difficult to locate the bodies. A road leading to the town of Porgera was also blocked by the landslide.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said he had not been fully briefed on the situation but assured that efforts were being made by relevant agencies to rescue people. Rescue operations are currently underway to free people trapped under buried houses or under rubble.
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