Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives and damage wreaked by a devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea, and said India is ready to offer all possible support and assistance. An immediate financial aid of USD 1 million to provide relief and assistance to people there was announced by the Indian Government.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage caused by the devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea. Our heartfelt condolences to the affected families and prayers for speedy recovery of the injured. India is ready to offer all possible support and assistance," the Prime Minister posted on X.

According to the Papua New Guinea Government, more than 2,000 people are believed to have been buried alive in a landslide in the South Pacific island nation.

This happened after the side of a mountain came down in the early hours of Friday morning when the village of Yambali was asleep.

The settlement is located in a restive and remote area in the interior of the poor, rural nation off the northern coast of Australia, making search and rescue efforts complicated and hazardous.

The MEA said Prime Minister Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India's readiness to extend all possible support and assistance to the Pacific island country in its time of difficulty.

"As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the Government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of USD 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts," it said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday India stands in solidarity with people of Papua New Guinea in this difficult time.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Papua New Guinea following the recent landslide," Jaishankar said on X.

"Our thoughts are with the Government and the people. India stands in solidarity with our friends at this difficult time," he said.

The MEA said India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters, as in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019 and 2023.

"An important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019, is disaster risk reduction and management," it said in a statement.

It said India is committed to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and continues to be a responsible and steadfast responder.