The UN has stated that the complicated search and rescue operation “can last days” due to the instability of the terrain and difficult access. The Government believes that 2,000 people have been trapped underground.
The UN has stated this Monday that the complicated search and rescue operation launched after the enormous avalanche that has buried a remote town in Papua New Guinea and has caused some 2,000 deaths, according to the Government’s latest report, “may last days” due to the instability of the terrain and difficult access.
“The Papua New Guinea Army is leading the search and rescue efforts. The remoteness of the site, the continued ground movement and damage to roads are slowing down efforts,” the UN office in this oceanic country said in a statement.
The collapse of part of a mountain early Friday morning sent earth and rocks between six and eight kilometers away and directly impacted the population of Kaokalam600 kilometers from the country’s capital, Port Moresby.
Dozens of houses were buried by a layer between six and eight meters deepwhich also hit the roads and paths that connect with the town, making rescue efforts and helping survivors difficult.
“Government authorities are focused on clearing debris and improving access to the site,” the UN notes.
About 4,000 people officially live in the area where the avalanche occurred, although authorities estimate that the number of people affected is greater, since the town where it occurred is a place where locals fleeing conflicts and tribal clashes in nearby villages take refuge.
In parallel with the rescue efforts, the UN and local authorities have also deployed a mission to care for the victims.
Source: Eitb
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