Crews struggle to reach quake-hit areas in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has declared a state of emergency after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Monday killed at least 31 people and left many regions still unaccessible. The state of emergency will cover the worst-hit provinces of the Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Hela, and Enga. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in a statement promised to release about $135 million in government aid and military support in response to the unprecedented disaster. “A state of emergency has been declared to expedite the restoration of essential public services, including healthcare services, schools, road access, airports, power, and communications facilities,” he said. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it contributed an additional $221,000 to aid relief efforts. Communication networks in some of the worst-hit areas remain down, and damaged infrastructure slowed rescue efforts. The country’s government has yet to release an official death toll due to limited access. Aftershocks persisted in some regions—the latest a 5.9 magnitude tremor in Hela province Friday.