Landslide buries village in Papua New Guinea, thousands feared dead

A massive landslide in Papua New Guinea has buried more than 2,000 people alive, prompting urgent pleas for international aid.

David Rising reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• The landslide struck the remote village of Yambali early Friday morning, trapping residents as they slept.
• Rescuers face challenges from rough terrain, ongoing natural hazards, and security risks due to tribal conflicts.
• The disaster has isolated the region, complicating relief efforts and cutting off access to essential resources.

Key quote:

“We have a situation that is getting worse and worse every moment.”

— Serhan Aktoprak, chief of U.N. migration agency’s mission in Papua New Guinea

Why this matters:

The natural disaster has created a perilous situation, with rescuers struggling against rugged terrain and the persistent threat of further natural hazards. The situation in Yambali emphasizes the dire need for coordinated emergency response plans that can navigate both the geographical and sociopolitical landscapes in such crises.

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