00:00In a devastating natural disaster, more than 100 people are feared dead following a massive
00:24landslide in Papua New Guinea.
00:26The tragedy struck early Friday morning at approximately 3 a.m. local time, engulfing
00:31the remote village of Kaukalam in Enga province, which lies about 600 kilometres northwest
00:37of the capital, Port Moresby.
00:40According to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, while the official death toll
00:44has yet to be confirmed by authorities, local residents fear that the actual number of casualties
00:49could be significantly higher.
00:52This catastrophic event has left the community in shock, grappling with the overwhelming
00:57loss and destruction.
00:59Social media videos show locals desperately pulling out bodies buried under the rubble,
01:06highlighting the dire situation in the remote village of Kaukalam.
01:10The remoteness of the area is significantly hampering rescue efforts.
01:14Access is limited due to the landslide over the main highway leading into the community,
01:19explained Janet Philemon, caretaker and national treasurer of the PNG Red Cross Society, in
01:25an interview with CNN.
01:28The community themselves are responding, trying to bring out and uncover those that have been
01:32buried under the landslide.
01:34Footage broadcast by AFP reveals a wide swath of mud and rocks cutting across a steep mountainside,
01:41with locals frantically searching for survivors amid the devastation.
01:46Kapua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has expressed his heartfelt condolences to
01:50the families affected by the devastating landslide that struck the remote village of Kaukalam.
01:55I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the landslide
02:00disaster," Marape stated.
02:03He acknowledged that he has yet to receive a full briefing on the situation, but assured
02:07the public that relevant authorities are working diligently to manage the disaster and provide
02:12necessary aid.
02:14The Prime Minister emphasised the government's commitment to supporting the affected community
02:18during this tragic time.
02:20Papua New Guinea, a Pacific island nation home to around 10 million people, is rich
02:24in natural resources, but has long lagged behind its neighbours economically.
02:28The country faces significant challenges, including one of the highest crime rates in
02:33the world.
02:34Its hundreds of tribes are dispersed across remote and often inaccessible areas of the
02:39making governance and the delivery of basic services extremely difficult.
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