News

Hundreds feared dead after landslide flattens remote PNG village

Published

1 month ago

May 24, 2024

editor

Hundreds are feared dead after a massive landslide levelled dozens of homes and buried families alive in a remote village in northern Papua New Guinea early on Friday, a resident said.

More than 50 homes, many with people still asleep inside, were buried when the landslide hit Kaokalam village around 3 a.m., villager Ninga Role told Reuters by phone. The death toll was nearly 300, among them his brother and cousin, he said.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp and other local media reported that more than 100 people had been killed.

One man who turned back to try and save his two children was buried along with his extended family, Role said.

Social media footage posted by Role showed people clambering over rocks, uprooted trees and mounds of dirt searching for survivors. Women could be heard weeping in the background.

“It’s very impossible, the area covered by the landslide is large and there are rocks and trees everywhere,” Role said.

“It’s very difficult to get them out.”

The village is in Enga province, about 600 km (370 miles) north of the capital, Port Moresby.

Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement he was yet to be fully briefed, but that authorities were responding to the disaster.

“We are sending in disaster officials, PNG Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways to meet provincial and district officials in Enga and also start relief work, recovery of bodies, and reconstruction of infrastructure,” Marape said.

“I will release further information as I am fully briefed on the scale of destruction and loss of lives.”

PNG police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The landslide hit a section of highway near the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold through Barrick Niugini Ltd, its joint venture with China’s Zijin Mining.

“The extent of the damage is still being assessed, so it is too early to know the impact, if any, on the operations of the Porgera Gold Mine, which is 100 km away,” a spokesperson for Barrick Gold said.

Porgera currently has sufficient fuel on-site to operate normally for 40 days and other critical supplies for longer, the spokesperson added.

(Reuters)

News

60 arrested over online financial scam

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested 60 suspects including 30 Indian nationals today (June 27) on charges of committing online financial fraud.

The police said, suspects were arrested from Thalangama, Madiwela and Negombo areas while a total of 135 mobile phones and 57 laptop computers have also been seized from their possession.

News

10 Indian fishermen face charges over death of Navy personnel

Published

16 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) states that 10 Indian fishermen are facing prosecution over several charges, including the death of a naval personnel during duty.

A SLN personnel from the Navy Special Boat Squadron had sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler during a special operation off Kankesanthurai on June 25. He had succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The postmortem examination had determined that the sailor’s death was an accident, resulting from spinal cord damage.

The SLN states that the seized Indian trawler together with 10 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they were handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for onward legal proceedings.

The Kankesanthurai Police has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking prosecution of ten Indian fishermen. They face charges for; illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a naval Person during the operation and for causing damage to naval property, the SLN adds.

The deceased sailor’s funeral ceremony was held yesterday (June 26) in Ibbagamuwa with full honours of the Navy. The Navy Commander had also posthumously promoted the deceased senior sailor, as a Fleet Chief Petty Officer.

The Navy also said that all necessary arrangements have been made for his family to receive the appropriate compensations and allowances.

News

Police to obtain statement from Lollia Skin Care owner

Published

16 hours ago

June 27, 2024

editor

The owner of the company which distributed the beauty products marketed by Model Piyumi Hansamali has been called by the police today to record a statement.

Police said the courts had ordered an interrogation. The matter had been referred to courts after the suspects refused to cooperate with the investigation.

It was assured that the investigations on Piyumi Hansamali will be continued.

Earlier, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had initiated a thorough investigation regarding a beauty products manufacturing company named Lollia Skin Care (Pvt) Ltd, which is said to be the main source of income of model Piyumi Hansamali, who is under investigation for her assets.

Piyumi’s income generated from Lollia Skin Care – CID