MELBOURNE, Australia – The death toll from a devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea has tragically risen to over 670, according to the International Organization for Migration. The catastrophe, which occurred in Yambali village in the highlands of Enga province, has left hundreds of homes buried beneath tons of unstable earth.

Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the U.N. migration agency’s mission in Papua New Guinea, expressed the grim reality faced by the local community as hopes of finding survivors diminish. With only a handful of bodies recovered so far, the rescue and recovery operation faces significant obstacles due to ongoing tribal warfare in the region.

The landslide, which occurred on Friday, has not only claimed lives but has also left more than 1,200 people homeless as additional houses were condemned due to the risk of further ground movement. The government is now deliberating whether to seek additional international support to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

As search and rescue efforts continue, relief crews have shifted their focus to aiding survivors and establishing evacuation centers for those displaced by the disaster. The challenging terrain and volatile security situation, exacerbated by tribal conflicts, have added layers of complexity to the ongoing rescue mission.

The tragic incident sheds light on the broader challenges faced by Papua New Guinea, a diverse nation with deep-rooted issues of tribal conflict and limited infrastructure. The need for immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and shelter, is paramount as authorities work to support those affected by the disaster.

In light of the escalating crisis, both local and international agencies are mobilizing resources to provide aid to the affected communities. With uncertainty surrounding the final toll of the catastrophe, efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and address the urgent needs of the survivors in the aftermath of the landslide.