International community expresses solidarity with Papua New Guinea after landslide disaster

UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Papua New Guinea, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The UN stands ready to support Papua New Guinea in its recovery and reconstruction efforts, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent condolences to Papua New Guinea Governor-General Bob Dadae over the devastating landslide that has caused heavy losses in the Oceanian country. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed condolences to the victims and sympathies to their families and the injured. He said he believes that Papua New Guinea will overcome difficulties and rebuild the affected areas, and China is willing to support the Oceanian country in this effort.

The Government of India also announced immediate relief assistance of $1 million to support Papua New Guinea in recovery and reconstruction following the landslide disaster.

The assistance was provided by the Government of India in its capacity as a partner of Papua New Guinea under the Forum for Indo-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and in solidarity with the people of the island nation. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said that India is ready to extend all possible support and assistance to Papua New Guinea in this difficult time.

The landslide occurred in Kaokalam village, Porgera town, Enga province, about 600 km northwest of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. The landslide occurred at around 3am on May 24 (local time), when many villagers were sleeping. Part of Mungalo Mountain collapsed, burying many houses and destroying the entire community at the foot of the mountain. Papua New Guinea's National Disaster Center confirmed that more than 2,000 people were buried, but so far only 5 bodies have been pulled from the rubble. Authorities are currently evacuating nearly 8,000 people in Enga province due to concerns about possible further landslides.

Niels Kraaier, an expert from the UNICEF office in Papua New Guinea, said it was "very unlikely" to find more survivors after the landslide. Rescue efforts were hampered by the remoteness of the affected area, heavy rains and the only road leading to it being cut off. On the morning of May 28, Enga provincial official Sandis Tsaka said the situation was still unstable with rocks still falling.