A tragic landslide in Kaokalam village, Papua New Guinea has claimed the lives of over 100 people as a mountain collapse engulfed sleeping residents. Emergency teams are facing challenges in accessing the area and fear the death toll may increase as rescue efforts unfold.
A landslide has devastated the village of Kaokalam in Papua New Guinea’s Enga Province, killing over 100 people. The incident occurred around 3am local time on May 24, 2024. Heavy rain caused a massive section of a mountain to collapse, flattening houses and burying residents while they slept.
Emergency response teams, including police and health workers, have been dispatched to the area, which is approximately 370 miles northwest of Port Moresby. The landslide has blocked roads, complicating rescue efforts and access to supplies for nearby towns.
Elizabeth Laruma, a local business leader, confirmed that more than 100 people are presumed buried. Videos circulating on social media showcase villagers struggling to recover bodies from the rubble. Authorities are yet to provide an official death toll, and it is feared the number could rise as rescue operations continue.
