Landslide Claims 21 Lives in PNG's Enga Province
A devastating landslide struck Kukas Village (Yarapaki Community) in the Wapenamanda District of Enga Province late last night, 30th October 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy. Community members stayed up through the night into daybreak, desperately retrieving 11 bodies from the rubble. Many more remain buried underground, including well-known local figure Ipai Whiteman.
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| Landslide Claims 21 Lives in PNG's Enga Province [Photo supplied] |
Papua New Guinea police later confirmed that a total of 21 people have died following the disaster, which occurred in the early hours of Friday morning at Kukas village in the Minamb Valley, outside Wapenamanda Station in Wabag. Acting Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Kelly Sombe said the victims were all from the Yabalekin tribe of Lower Lai in Wapenamanda.
The landslip, triggered by heavy overnight rain, struck at around 2am, burying three houses while families were still asleep. “Villagers recovered 21 dead bodies – two children, three women and sixteen men,” Sombe said. Three others were seriously injured and taken to Wabag Hospital for medical attention.
“Other four villagers have sustained minor injuries. Police and Enga Disaster teams were at the scene early in the morning,” he added.
The situation on the ground is heartbreaking and increasingly frightening, as families continue to search for missing loved ones amid fears of further landslips.
Villagers are continuing the recovery efforts, digging through the mud and debris by hand in hopes of finding survivors.
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