A catastrophic landslide has struck Papua New Guinea, burying more than 670 residents underground in the country's Enga province, according to an official from the United Nations. The UK-based BBC reported the devastating incident on Sunday (May 26).

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that the landslide buried a significant number of residents, with over 150 houses engulfed under the rubble. So far, authorities have managed to recover only five bodies and a severed leg. Rescue teams are tirelessly working to locate and save the remaining victims, but the death toll is expected to be in the hundreds.

The situation remains dire as the land continues to shift and collapse in new locations. The main road in Enga province is obstructed by over 8 meters of soil, severely hampering rescue and relief operations. The government has issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in the area, warning of the imminent risk of further large-scale landslides.

The landslide occurred last Thursday (May 23) around 3:00 p.m. in Kaokalam village, located in the northern part of Enga province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of the capital, Port Moresby. The ongoing disaster has left the community in dire need of assistance, with efforts underway to provide aid and relocate those affected to safer areas.