Landslide kills at least 21 in Papua New Guinea village

A massive landslide struck the village of Kukas in Papua New Guinea's Enga province early on October 31, 2025, killing at least 21 people and flattening several homes while residents were asleep. The death toll may rise as rescue teams continue to search for survivors amidst difficult terrain and limited access. Local villagers have mobilized emergency rescue operations, highlighting the community's resilience in the face of repeated natural disasters in the region. The disaster follows a catastrophic landslide in May 2024 in the same province that killed hundreds, emphasizing the ongoing vulnerability of Papua New Guinea's mountainous areas to such events. Authorities and humanitarian groups have warned about the risks posed by heavy rainfall and unstable soil conditions, urging residents in landslide-prone areas to remain cautious. Despite multiple reports, UN officials have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding this latest tragedy.