Xi says 'saddened' by PNG landslide, offers assistance

This handout photo taken and received on May 27, 2024 from the International Organization for Migration shows locals digging at the site of a landslide at Mulitaka village in the region of Maip Mulitaka, in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. – More than 2,000 people have been buried in a Papua New Guinea landslide that destroyed a remote highland village, the government warned May 27 as it called for international help in the rescue effort. (Photo by Mohamud Omer / International Organization for Migration / AFP) / /

China’s President Xi Jinping said Monday he was “saddened” to learn of a landslide disaster in Papua New Guinea and offered help to the Pacific island nation.

Papua New Guinea’s authorities say more than 2,000 people have been buried in a landslide of mud and rocks that destroyed a remote highland community on Friday.

“I am deeply saddened to learn (of) the recent serious landslide disaster in Papua New Guinea, which has caused heavy casualties and property loss,” the Chinese leader said in a letter to local authorities.

Xi passed on deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and injured on behalf of China’s government and people.

“The Chinese side stands ready to provide assistance,” he added.

The once-bustling hillside village in Enga province was almost wiped out when a chunk of Mount Mungalo collapsed in the early hours of Friday morning, smothering scores of homes and the people sleeping inside them.

“China will provide assistance within its capacity to Papua New Guinea’s disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction based on Papua New Guinea’s needs,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing.

The UN has invited member nations to an emergency aid meeting via Zoom at 10:00 am Tuesday local time (midnight Monday GMT), the French embassy in Port Moresby said.