Papua New Guinea National Disaster Center reports unprecedented tragedy
Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center has confirmed that a large avalanche has left more than 2,000 people buried in a remote town in the north of the country. This tragic event occurred early Friday morning and has shocked the entire nation.
According to a statement issued by the center and addressed to the UN coordinator in the country, the avalanche took place near the Porgera gold mine, in the province of Enga. The situation is devastating, since it is estimated that people were buried alive under tons of earth and debris.
Devastation and economic consequences
The avalanche, which took place at 3am on Friday, has caused extensive destruction in the affected town. Buildings and gardens have been razed, and the main access road to the Porgera mine is completely blocked. This catastrophe has had a devastating impact on the country’s economy, endangering the livelihoods of many people.
The situation remains unstable as the landslide continues slowly. This represents a danger to both rescue teams and survivors who may still be under the rubble. The authorities are working hard to rescue trapped people and provide them with the necessary help in this difficult situation.
Difficulties in determining the exact number of victims
The task of determining the exact number of fatalities and missing persons is extremely difficult due to the terrain conditions and the difficult access to the area. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has personnel at the scene of the tragedy, it is estimated that at least 670 people have lost their lives and that more than 150 houses have been destroyed. Additionally, around 1,000 people have been displaced as a result of the avalanche.
The Pacific Ring of Fire and the vulnerability of the region
Papua New Guinea is located in an area known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, characterized by intense seismic and volcanic activity. This region experiences around 7,000 earthquakes a year, most of them of moderate magnitude. In addition, heavy rain and flooding are frequent in the area affected by the avalanche. Despite being rich in natural resources, a large part of the population of Papua New Guinea lives in extreme poverty and faces communication and infrastructure difficulties, especially in remote areas such as the one affected by this tragedy.
The international community is shocked by this tragedy and relief and rescue efforts are underway to provide support to the victims and people affected by this massive avalanche in Papua New Guinea.
