Leaders Online: A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has destroyed more than 1,000 homes in northern Papua New Guinea. It is reported that 5 people have died. The region was rocked by an earthquake on Sunday. “Over 1,000 homes have been severely damaged so far,” said East Sepik Governor Alan Bird. This area is already flooded. Meanwhile, due to the earthquake that occurred on Sunday morning, most of the parts of the province were severely damaged. “Emergency personnel are still assessing the damage,” he added. (Papua New Guinea earthquake)
The quake struck about 88 kilometers (54 miles) southwest of Wewak, the US Geological Survey said. Wewak is the capital of the East Sepik province of Papua New Guinea. Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea. Because this region is known as an earthquake prone region. Sunday's earthquake jolted villages along the Sepik River and surrounding areas.
Heavy rains coupled with strong winds have already caused severe flooding in Papua New Guinea. This has also caused landslides. Now the situation here has become worse due to the earthquake. Local media reported that 23 people died in 3 landslides in Chimbu province on March 18.
Alan Bird added that “the flood actually covered an area of more than 800 kilometers in length. About 60 to 70 villages along the Sepik River have been affected.” The administration had prepared for rescue operations in the flood-hit areas this week. Medical teams were also prepared. Hundreds of homes were destroyed by the tremors, Bird said.
People's homes in the quake-hit zone have been flooded and communities are now running out of food and clean drinking water. “But this was an earthquake that no one was prepared for. It has caused the biggest loss.” He also said.
In April last year, an earthquake of magnitude 7 occurred in the interior of the country. At least seven people were killed. Many of the island nation's 9 million citizens live outside cities. Since this area is remote, there may be obstacles to rescue operations. (Papua New Guinea earthquake)
#UPDATE At least five people were killed and an estimated 1,000 homes destroyed when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked flood-stricken northern Papua New Guinea, officials say.
“So far, around 1,000 homes have been lost,” East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said, adding that emergency… pic.twitter.com/bCBzWB63Cr
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 25, 2024
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