The earthquake, which struck shortly after midnight local time, was the most severe aftershock in an area badly damaged by a magnitude 7.5 quake that flattened villages and caused landslides, killing at least 55 people.
“I have just received reports that 18 people were killed last night,” William Bando, Hela Province administrator told Reuters.es was hardest hit. We haven’t heard about potential casualties there yet, but it is a big village with many people.”
The first casualty assessment comes as authorities and aid workers struggle to reach the rugged highlands area to assess the extent of the damage of the first earthquake on Feb 26 and deliver aid to stricken locals.A spokeswoman at Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Centre said on Wednesday that authorities had not yet finalised a casualty report.
James Komengi, a United Church project officer, speaking from Tari, the capital of quake-affected Hela province, said his church’s assessment and response centre had counted up to 67 deaths in that province alone.
“Mothers and children are so traumatised. Even my own children are refusing to sleep in our house. Every little movement scares them,” said Mr Komengi.
Concerns were also growing about access to safe drinking water after the shaking destroyed many water tanks, while land slips had poured mud into natural water sources.
Landslides, blocked roads, cracked airstrips and damaged telecommunication links have hampered efforts by authorities to assess the death toll and deliver supplies to the more than 150,000 people that agencies estimate are in need of aid.Australia will deploy three helicopters this week to deliver aid, while New Zealand will send a second military plane to distribute medical equipment, hygiene kits and tarpaulins.
Wednesday’s quake was the most severe of a series of aftershocks that have rattled the resource-rich region, about 600 km (370 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby.
William Bando, the administrator of Hela Province, said initial reports put the death toll from the aftershock at 18.
“It appears Hides was hardest hit. We haven’t heard about potential casualties there yet, but it is a big village with many people,” he added.
Manasseh Makiba, Papua New Guinea’s Vice Minister for Petroleum & Energy who represents parts of Hela Province in parliament, said victims were still being found.
“People are still being extracted from mud. People are still being taken to hospitals,” he said.
Local media outlets reported the death toll from the original quake had risen to 75, after government officials said previously that 55 people had been killed.
A spokeswoman at Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center said on Wednesday that authorities were finalising a final report into the casualties from the first quake.
James Komengi, a United Church project officer, speaking from Tari, the capital of quake-affected Hela province, said his church’s assessment and response centre had counted up to 67 deaths in that province alone.
Aid efforts are being hampered as rescue workers struggle to reach the highlands area as many roads are either badly damaged or blocked.
The International Red Cross warned the situation could deteriorate if heavy rains hit the region.
“We are anxious to reach communities while there is a lull in what is usually a season of heavy rain. A big downpour could bring landslides in hillsides already destabilized by the earthquake, cause floods and contaminate water,” said Udaya Regmi, Director the International Red Cross in Papua New Guinea.
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