By Marian Faa, ABC
Villagers work to recover bodies after a landslide in Papua New Guinea's Enga province. Photo: ABC/SUPPLIED
Police say 21 people have been killed in a landslide in Papua New Guinea's highlands overnight, with bodies still being recovered.
They said the landslide struck the small village of Kukas in Enga Province at 2am, local time, on Friday, flattening houses with people sleeping inside.
A local government disaster team had been sent to the site this morning to assist with the recovery of bodies and provide emergency supplies.
Footage shared on social media shows people grieving for loved ones lost in the tragedy.
Another video shows people using sticks to dig through thick mud that appears to have crushed a structure.
Enga Province Governor Sir Peter Ipatas said immediate needs included body bags, tents and blankets.
He said it was likely that several survivors were now homeless.
The landslide happened in the same province where a huge landslide claimed over 160 lives in the village of Mulitaka in May last year.
Sir Peter said the mountainous area was vulnerable to landslides, especially during periods of heavy rain.
He said locals had reported up to 30 people may have died, with 18 bodies already recovered, however local police put the current death toll at 21.
"It's a very, very sad case," Sir Peter said.
The district has also been grappling with ongoing tribal conflicts since August this year, with reports of several deaths in the past three months.
- ABC
