A catastrophic landslide in the central region of Papua New Guinea has left more than 2,000 people trapped under rubble, according to the National Center for Emergency Response.
The landslide has caused "serious destruction of buildings, household plots, and also dealt a significant blow to the country’s logistics system," according to a statement from the National Emergency Response Center, as quoted by Reuters.
"As a result of the landslide, more than 2 thousand people were buried alive," the statement said.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear, and it is not yet confirmed whether all those trapped are considered dead.
Initial reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), citing local authorities, suggested that over 670 people could have perished in the incident. However, as of May 27, rescue operations have resulted in the recovery of fewer than 10 bodies from the rubble.