[4] Papua New Guinea has regularly experienced fatal landslides resulting from its mountainous terrain, weather, climate, poverty, poor land use practices and government mismanagement.

[7] The landslide occurred at approximately 03:00 PGT on 24 May 2024 (17:00 UTC on 23 May),[8] after a large amount of debris was dislodged from the limestone slopes of Mount Mungalo.

[22] Conflicting estimates of casualties emerged following the disaster, which was attributed to the lack of updated population statistics since the last national census in 2000[23] and the fact that the affected area also hosted pubs catering to miners from other villages[24] as well as people displaced by intertribal fighting.

[20] On 29 May, councillor and chair of the Mulitaka Disaster Committee Jaman Yandam said that more than 160 people had died, citing village leaders who had conducted a head count.

[27] My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the devastating landslide in Enga, and the tragic loss of so many lives, homes and food gardens.

[34] Prime Minister James Marape announced that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force was sent to the scene to conduct relief work, recover bodies, and rebuild destroyed infrastructure.

[49][50] The Indian government announced relief assistance of US$1 million on 28 May, reaffirming the two countries' ties under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).

[59][60] Rescue work was hampered by large rocks and fallen trees,[61] with the Red Cross estimating that it would take up to two days for humanitarian assistance to arrive.

[2] Police Commander Martin Kelei reported that recovery efforts were further complicated by the potential danger of additional landslides caused by removing debris, while Coordinator for CARE Australia Justine McMahon stated that instability and shifting of the disaster site and forecasts of future rain could lead to further landslides, threatening rescuers and aid staff.

[20] Clearing of the blocked highway was also delayed due to opposition from some of the relatives of the victims, who called for the site to be preserved in situ as a memorial.

Defense Minister Billy Joseph and PNG National Disaster Centre director Laso Mana visited Wabag on 26 May to assess recovery efforts.

[24] During a parliamentary session on 30 May 2024, Speaker Job Pomat reprimanded MPs for a muted response to the disaster, which occurred amid plans to file a no-confidence motion against Marape.

[72] On 5 June, the military announced that all efforts to recover more bodies would halt due to the danger of further landslides and that access to the site would be restricted.