The United Nations has revised the number of people likely killed in the landslide in Papua New Guinea from 100 to more than 670.
UN officials said it was estimated that more than 670 people had died due to the outbreak. Landslides in a remote area of northern Papua New Guinea Meanwhile, rescue workers are still searching for survivors.
This new estimate represents a sharp increase from earlier this week when the United Nations believed more than 100 people had died.
Serhan Aktrubrak, head of the IOM delegation, said that more than 150 houses in the village of Yambali were buried under the rubble of the landslide.
Oktbag added: It was initially reported that the village’s population was about 4,000 people, but new estimates reveal that the actual number of residents is much higher.
Initially it was reported that people were evacuated from more than 250 homes. About 1,250 people are expected to be displaced, and many local residents have gone to temporary accommodation with relatives and friends nearby.
Oktrag said the area still has the aforementioned area and is “in extreme danger” with continued soil and rock collapse. The Earth is constantly facing increasing pressure. Authorities and citizens are trying to move the bodies buried underground using digging sticks, shovels, and plowing forks.
The disaster occurred in a remote village in Inga District, about 600 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Moresby, at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time on May 24.
Papua New Guinea is a Pacific country with a population of about 10 million and is rich in resources. But the country's economy has long lagged behind neighboring countries. It has one of the highest crime rates in the world.
Papua New Guinea's terrain is largely mountainous and rolling, with no roads. This makes upgrading infrastructure such as water, electricity and sanitation difficult and expensive. This has affected the search for survivors in this landslide as well.
Compiled from CNN