28 May 2024

PNG villagers grapple with 'heartbreaking' landslide tragedy

From , 6:01 am on 28 May 2024
This handout photo taken and received on May 26, 2024 from the International Organization for Migration shows people digging at the site of a landslide at Yambali Village in the region of Maip Mulitaka, in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province. More than 670 people are believed dead after a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, a UN official told AFP on May 26 as aid workers and villagers braved perilous conditions in their desperate search for survivors. (Photo by Mohamud Omer / International Organization for Migration / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION / MOHAMUD OMER - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVE

This handout photo from the International Organization for Migration shows people digging at the site of a landslide at Yambali Village in the region of Maip Mulitaka, in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province. Photo: AFP / Mohamud Omer

Yambali villagers in Papua New Guinea are using their bare hands to dig out the buried bodies of loved ones while they wait for humanitarian aid to arrive. 

At least 670 people are feared dead and more than 100 homes are believed to be buried according to the UN migration agency. 

It's the largest landslide since the 7 and a half magnitude earthquake hit Hela Province in 2018.  

RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon has more.