Papua New Guinea PM blames extraordinary rainfall for deadly landslide

James Marape says the estimated death toll is more than 2,000 people, as rescue efforts in Enga province continue

Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape has blamed extraordinary rainfall" and changes to weather patterns for multiple disasters in the Pacific Island nation this year, including a landslide last week which may have killed thousands.

Parts of a mountain in the Maip-Mulitaka area in Enga province in PNG's north collapsed in the early hours of last Friday and Marape said more than 2,000 people are estimated to have died, with up to 70,000 people living in the area affected by the disaster.