Today marks exactly twelve (12) days since the landslide disaster in Mulitaka, Enga Province on 24th May 2023, around 3 am in the morning, and up to this day only 7 bodies have been recovered so far. In an exclusive interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, Enga Provincial Administrator Mr Sandis Tsaka gave a significant insight into the events happening on ground in the disaster zone. Tsaka stated that on the dreadful morning, upon receiving the alert, a mobile assessment team was sent instantly down to the area to compile a report which was then sent to the National Disaster Office to evaluate discussions with the International Partners to get support. “Within the space of 12hrs, we had actual first emergency team on the ground not only carrying out assessments but also assisting the communities in terms of emergency relief efforts.” Mr Tsaka highlighted that the landslide is still very hectic, the initial impacts zone of the landslide has grown significantly in size, further villages down the hill and others on adjacent arears are also affected by the movement of not only mud, debris and rocks but also by the obstruction of the creeks and rivers. “This is a huge risk, and that is part of the reason why we have not been able to mobilize heavy equipment and engineers on sight to start any excavation work to assist community that have been affected.” “The locals have been using spades and digging with their hands to find their loved ones.” Tsaka stated that as of Sunday afternoon, the official death toll stands at 7, and sadly numbers of dead bodies that are yet to be recovered is estimated to be significant. From preliminary estimate, the number of dead bodies buried under the landslide could be around 500. He said they have undertaken Social Mapping since the disaster, speaking to the survivors and the communities around the disaster zone to find out who they remember were living there and are not here now. Tsaka elaborate that since the last census in 2010, that is the only government record of people 18 years and above so the other significant portion of the population below 18 years of age still not accounted for. “We are using the National Statistical Office population profiling data which basically says 42% of the population is estimated to be below the age of 16 years old.” “So, extrapolating that, the government has officially released the numbers of the impact communities at around 7400 plus.” Mr Tsaka further added that that landslide area used to be a high population concentration area, where people migrate to temporarily reside or transit through because it is next to the main highway where people from the rural areas come to access services, education and health services and other opportunities. “We are afraid that people who are not from the area, their numbers will be significant because out of the 7 dead bodies recovered, 3 are not from the area, they are outsiders who were transiting.” “This makes the identifying of the actual number of people buried a bit more difficult, but we are confidents that with the social mapping we are doing, we will be able to provide some certainty to the death toll soon.” Mr Tsaka further highlighted that the challenge now is the emergency respondence to search and recovery phase now. It's been 12 days since the landslide and chances of finding any survivor is zero therefore, they have called off the search and rescue phase and are currently in the search and recovery of the dead bodies. Tsaka added that with the amount of mud, debris, and boulders it has been very difficult to recover more bodies so in the next 72hrs the Enga Provincial Government including Enga Provincial Disaster office will need to decide what to do now at the end of two weeks period after the landslide. “This is a critical juncture and what's happening now is the continues landslips and also the public health risk from the decaying bodies, all these are considered while we look at the next stage of recovery for everyone affected here.”