Earthquake

The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the overall disaster response after meeting with the Provincial Disaster Management Committee led by the Chairman and Provincial Administrator  Sason Torovi, Member for Wewak Stanley Samban heads of other key government agencies including the Commanding Officer of 2RPIR Moem Barracks.

 “I got a brief of the work of the committee and their preparedness, the leadership on the ground is commendable, all preparations required are set to start delivering relief supplies to our people that needs them the most,” Minister Joseph said.

The province, already grappling with widespread flooding, was struck by a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake earlier on Sunday 24^th March, inflicting substantial damage across the region. Initial assessments indicate the loss of approximately 1,000 homes, with the final tally expected to rise as reports continue to be gathered.

Winkeo Wengane was to do Grade 12 at Markham Secondary School. He was among five other casualties of the landslide.

His body was recovered on Sunday, December 31, a day after disaster struck. He was laid to rest beside his late father on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2024. Late Winkeo’s mother is now left with the pain of losing her only child.

The District Disaster Office confirms that a huge number of victims will need external assistance to fully compensate them for the loss of properties during the disaster

Rudolph Mongallee, Director for Provincial Disaster Office, has compiled an assessment which has been handed over to Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, who is expected to brief the Prime Minister and Defense Minister on the overall effect of the earthquake.

The initial quake struck at a depth of 32 kilometres at 10:37pm local time (1:37am AEDT) about 21 kilometres north-east of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The area was quickly hit by more than two dozen aftershocks, the largest measuring magnitude 6.5, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The initial quake triggered tsunami warnings and orders for coastal residents to flee to higher ground, though the US Tsunami Warning System later said the risk of large waves had passed.

The Ramu NiCO Management Ltd (MCC), operator of the Ramu Nickel and Cobalt Mine, in a media statement said due to the proximity of the Basamuk Refinery to the epicenter, a shutdown inspection has been initiated to thoroughly assess the facility for any damage or safety concerns. 

“We are relieve to report that there have been no casualties among our staff, which include PNG nationals, Chinese and other nationalities,” MCC stated. 

Prime Minister James Marape expressed his heartfelt sympathy and unwavering support for the people of Madang and neighbouring provinces severely impacted by the devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on Saturday evening, October 7, 2023, with its epicentre located at Basamuk in the Rai Coast District.

In response to this tragic disaster, Prime Minister Marape has taken immediate action, swiftly mobilising relevant government departments and agencies to assess the extent of the damage and the number of individuals affected.

Most houses all over town also collapsed, most of them being semi-permanent.

Residents of the Wagol area in Madang felt the most of the impact with numerous houses down.

These are the people who work hard to clean Madang town, now in need they are calling on the Government for immediate assistance.

The United Nations gave a preliminary figure of 320 dead, but later said the figure was still being verified.

Local authorities gave an estimate of 100 people killed and 500 injured, according to the same update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The update also said 465 houses had been reported destroyed and a further 135 were damaged.

Casualties from the highways have been moved to Modilon Hospital and the hospital is reportedly full and patients are being treated in the open air outside.

While the extent of the damage will be determined later, several buildings in Madang town have been damaged.and pipelines at Ramu Nico’s Basamuk Refinery have also been reported ruptured.

An urgent disaster report released from Basamuk by the Ramu Nico team states that Basamuk refinery sustained very strong impacts from the quake with operations stopped.