Papua New Guinea: Death toll from powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake to five

At least five people were killed by the powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Papua New Guineacausing serious damage and many injuries.

MP Cassie Sawang told AFP that in her district two people were killed in mountain villageswhile four others are hospitalized in critical condition. According to Sawang, a landslide was caused, as a result of which houses were buried under the soil and a village was cut in two.

In the neighboring town of Wau, officials at the Koranga mine announced that three miners had been killed.

In this area the means of communication are limited and there are not many paved roads, which complicates rescue operations. Small airlines and mission members helped airlift some of the wounded through the jungle. “The terrain and the weather are very difficult. It’s a challenge” said Nelly Pumali, of the Manolos Aviation company, which was carrying an injured person and was attempting to return to the scene of the disaster.

Residents of towns in northern Papua New Guinea near the epicenter said the morning’s strong aftershocks ripped open two roads and damaged buildings. In the city of Goroka, videos posted on social media sites show blinds and windows falling from the walls of the university, where large cracks can be seen.

The earthquake was felt as far away as the capital, Port Moresby, which is about 480 kilometers away.