By HARLYNE JOKU
A huge landslide buried a long hut with 13 people asleep inside early this morning at the foot of the Tolukuma Gold Mine in the Central province.
The community from Saki village, Tolukuma experienced the massive landslide early this morning between 4.30 am and 6am amidst heavy rain.
They were surprised to see that the long house built for visitors from nearby villagers who come and reside in while panning for gold, had disappeared.
“We have sent a message to the Central Provincial Disaster Office to assist with a chain saw and excavator to dig and cut through the trees, logs and dirt to uncover the house and search for the people buried by the landslide. We cannot do it ourselves with our bush knives because the slide has buried many of trees and logs too,” Saki village spokesman Cyril Samani told the PNG Bulletin by phone this afternoon (Monday, 28th of December, 2020).
“The disaster occurred at about 4.30 am while the people were asleep. The landslide caught them by surprise coming down from the nearby Tolokuma Mountain,” Mr Simana said.
He said the people buried were from nearby villages panning for gold during the Christmas weekend.
“We woke up to see the huge landslide debris and the long house disappear. We have informed the Disaster authorities and waiting for them to arrive possible tomorrow (Tuesday),” Mr Simana said.
Mr Simana said since the Tolokuma mine was in operation in the early 90’s and 2000’s, the ground on the Tolokuma mountain has become soft.
He said the recent heavy rain in the afternoon till early morning may be the cause of the massive landslide burying the 13.
“Hopefully when the Disaster Office arrives, we will start clearing and digging,” Mr Simana said.
“We have not been able to get through to the MP for Goilala or the Governor for Central. But we managed to reach the provincial disaster office,” Mr Simana said.