Landslide in remote Papua New Guinea village kills about 100 —report

SYDNEY — A landslide in a remote village in northern Papua New Guinea (PNG) killed about 100 people, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) said on Friday.

Residents scaled huge rocks, scattered among tree trunks and debris left by the landslide as they assessed the damage, in pictures on social media.

Bodies are being recovered after the landslide hit the village of Kaokalam in the province of Enga at about 3 a.m., the broadcaster said.

Reuters could not independently verify the death toll. No further details were immediately available.

PNG government officials and police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Media in the Pacific island nation said the landslide has impacted operations at the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold ABX.TO through Barrick Niugini Ltd, its joint venture with China's Zijin Mining 601899.SS.

Barrick Gold did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours. — Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson/Reuters