Authorities in Papua New Guinea have raised concerns for nearly 7,900 individuals residing near the location of a perilous landslide, highlighting their vulnerability as rocks and debris persistently descend the hillside.
A warning has been issued for potential evacuation, with an official from the province emphasizing the ongoing instability of the mountain.
Rescue teams acknowledge the decreasing likelihood of finding survivors amidst the wreckage.
The country’s disaster agency estimates that around 2,000 people may have been engulfed when the mountainside collapsed last Friday, a figure notably higher than the UN’s approximated count of 670 victims.
Access to the site and the individuals buried beneath the debris has been hindered, complicating efforts to ascertain an accurate death toll.
According to various UN representatives, the focus of the mission has shifted primarily to recovering bodies rather than conducting rescue operations due to the challenging conditions.
Local residents have been employing manual methods to clear the immense rocks and rubble, facing delays in the arrival of heavy machinery and cultural considerations regarding its use near deceased individuals.
Despite the difficulties, villagers express determination to continue their efforts to retrieve victims.
The treacherous terrain poses ongoing risks as rocks continue to dislodge and descend from the mountain, prompting authorities to alert nearby communities and issue evacuation notices.
Concerns mount regarding the potential spread of infection and disease as bodies trapped beneath the rubble begin to decompose.
The UN has cautioned about the flow of currents beneath the debris, further complicating the situation.