In the wake of a catastrophic landslide in a remote village in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, survivors are desperately searching for missing family members while emergency teams race to provide essential supplies and support. The incident, which occurred in Enga province, has left scores of people feared buried under tons of earth and rubble.

According to the chief of the International Organization for Migration's mission in Papua New Guinea, Serhan Aktoprak, initial assessments suggest that around 100 people may have lost their lives, with approximately 60 houses buried by the mountainside collapse. However, confirming an exact number of casualties remains challenging due to cultural sensitivities among survivors.

As of early Saturday, only three bodies have been recovered from the vast debris that struck Yambali, a village consisting of nearly 4,000 residents located 600 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Moresby. Aktoprak reported that medical treatment was provided to seven individuals, including a child, although the extent of their injuries is currently unknown.

There are concerns that the casualty count may rise dramatically as the relief operation continues. Philip Mene, an associate with the International Organization for Migration, revealed that survivors are painstakingly searching through the rubble by hand, yet hope for finding any more survivors is slowly diminishing.

In addition to the loss of life, the landslide has caused significant destruction to the village's food gardens, which serve as a vital source of sustenance for the local population. Furthermore, the three streams that provide drinking water have been buried, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Relief efforts have been impeded by the closure of the province's main highway, caused by the landslide. However, an emergency convoy departed from the provincial capital of Wabag on Saturday morning, carrying essential supplies such as food and water to the devastated village located 60 kilometers away. Additional convoys, including the deployment of heavy earth-moving machinery to clear the debris, are scheduled for Sunday.

Nevertheless, the use of heavy machinery may pose challenges due to the risk and cultural sensitivities surrounding the potential presence of bodies within the rubble.

Papua New Guinea, with its diverse population of mostly subsistence farmers and over 800 languages, faces significant logistical challenges in responding to the tragedy. As the relief efforts continue, more information about the extent of the destruction and loss of life is expected to be released by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.

Located in the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," Papua New Guinea is prone to seismic and volcanic activities. In March, the country experienced a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

The tragic landslide serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by communities in Papua New Guinea and underscores the urgent need for adequate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the region.