MP confirms 23 earthquake deaths in Nipa-Kutubu

TWENTY-three deaths occurred in the Nipa- Kutubu electorate of Southern Highlands as a result of the 7.5-magnitude earthquake on Feb 26, local MP Jeffrey Komal says.
Komal, who is also Deputy Speaker, presented a status report of the damage and destruction caused by the earthquake in Enga, Western, Hela, Southern Highlands, Gulf and parts of West Sepik during a special Parliament sitting on Tuesday.
He said Nipa-Kutubu was one of the worst affected electorates in Southern Highlands.
“We have confirmed 23 deaths, with thousands being displaced and accommodated in 27 care centres,” he said. “We have 43 buildings and facilities from the health sector being destroyed, including the newly built Nipa district hospital, 129 school buildings and facilities and more than 10 feeder roads destroyed.”
Komal said affected people were still traumatised and gripped by fear.
“The destruction will cost millions of kina to rebuild and my district disaster team have already produced a comprehensive disaster report for funding consideration,” he said.
“But we will be working with the restoration team to establish the actual costing for reconstruction.”