UN Fears About 670 People Buried Under Landslide in Papua New Guinea

Enga, 26 May (ONA) --- About 670 people are estimated to be buried under a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, a UN official said.

The head of the International Organization for Migration in Papua New Guinea, Serhan Aktoprak, said the impact of Friday's landslide in the country's isolated Enga province was greater than initially thought.

"There are an estimated 150-plus houses now buried," Aktoprak said.

The affected areas are in the highlands of Enga, in the north of the island nation in the south-west Pacific.

Aktoprak said rescuers were at risk due to continued risk of further landslides.

There are nearly 4,000 people living in the area hit by the landslide.

At least 1,000 people have been displaced as a result of the disaster. Aktoprak said gardens that had grown food and water supplies were almost completely wiped out, the BBC reported.

--- Ends/AG