The death toll from a horrific landslip in Papua New Guinea has reached over 700, and rescuers have given up hope of finding survivors.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimated the death toll from the tragedy, which struck Yambali village and the northern Enga province, at 670 on Sunday. Serhan Aktoprak, chairman of the IOM's mission in the nation, said the death toll was calculated after more than 150 dwellings were buried in Friday's landslide.
"They are estimating that more than 670 people (are) under the soil at the moment," he stated. Crews have given up hope of locating survivors six to eight metres underground, Aktoprak said. Local officials first estimated the death toll at 100 or more, with 60 dwellings buried. On Sunday, emergency workers relocated survivors to safer areas as unstable ground jeopardised the rescue effort.
The South Pacific island's government is examining whether it should publicly request extra foreign assistance. The administration set up evacuation camps on either side of the debris, which covered an area the size of three or four football fields and shut the major roadway across the region.
Convoys have been delivering food, water, and other supplies to the destroyed town since Saturday.
