Following a massive landslide that is believed to have buried over 2,000 residents, authorities in Papua New Guinea are warning about the possibility of additional landslides and are calling for evacuations. Meanwhile, ongoing tribal conflicts in Papua New Guinea are hindering rescue operations and humanitarian aid. A vote of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape is being pushed in the parliament, adding to the turmoil.
According to AFP and other sources on the 28th, Sandis Tsaka, the administrator of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea, stated, “Soil and rocks continue to fall near the site of the landslide, increasing the risk of additional landslides. We are coordinating the evacuation of 7,900 residents.” Tsaka went on to describe the situation, saying, “The tragedy is still ongoing, with the sound of rocks breaking and falling heard every hour like gunshots.”
Rescue operations are slow due to the dire situation. The Papua New Guinea government is trying to deploy the military and heavy equipment to the site but is facing difficulties due to the rugged mountain terrain. Residents are left to dig through the dirt with shovels and sticks to rescue victims.
In addition, with the ongoing tribal conflicts within the Enga Province, some tribes are attempting to hinder humanitarian aid to the affected areas.
Serhan Aktoprak, a representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Papua New Guinea, stated, “Many houses are burning. The men in this area are continuing to fight with weapons, and women and children have evacuated.”
The Papua New Guinea government is deploying security forces to ensure safe transportation of relief supplies to the affected area
Meanwhile, a vote of no confidence against Marape is being pushed in the Papua New Guinea parliament.
According to Reuters and local newspaper Post Courier, the opposition coalition announced plans to submit a vote of no confidence against Marape on the afternoon of the 28th when the parliament reconvenes after three months.
They revealed that 18 members of the ruling party have defected to the opposition, with more from the ruling party expected to join.
On the other hand, Marape stated that a majority of 56 votes are needed for the motion of no confidence to pass, but there are over 70 members in the ruling coalition. He stated, “The partners in the coalition government agreed that now is not the time to cause instability but for reconstruction under the current government.”
As the political struggle continues, Reuters criticized, “The capital’s media is full of political drama, which is overshadowing the devastating landslide.”
On the morning of the 24th, a massive landslide occurred in the mountainous region of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea due to heavy rainfall over several weeks. Hundreds of houses in six villages were buried under rocks, soil, and trees that came down from the mountain.
The IOM estimated over 670 casualties as more than 150 houses were buried in the landslide. However, the Papua New Guinea government estimates that over 2,000 people are buried and it is unlikely to find survivors.