More than 670 people are assumed to have died in Papua New Guinea's massive landslide, the UN migration agency estimated on Sunday as rescue efforts continued.
Media in the South Pacific nation north of Australia had previously estimated Friday's landslide had buried more than 300 people. But more than 48 hours later the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the death toll may be more than double that, as the full extent of the destruction is still unclear and continuing dangerous conditions on the ground are hampering aid and rescue efforts.
Only five bodies had been retrieved from the rubble so far.
The agency based its death toll estimates on information provided by officials at Yambali Village in the Enga province, who say more than 150 houses were buried in Friday's landslide, Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the agency's mission in Papua New Guinea said in an email statement.
"Land is still sliding, rocks are falling, ground soil is cracking due to constant increased pressure and ground water is running thus the area is posing an extreme risk for everyone," Aktoprak said.
More than 250 houses nearby have been abandoned by the inhabitants, who had taken temporary shelter with their relatives and friends, and some 1,250 people have been displaced, the agency said.
"People are using digging sticks, spades, large agricultural forks to remove the bodies buried under the soil," Aktoprak said.
The IOM said an elementary school, small businesses and stalls, a guesthouse, and a petrol station were also buried.
Speaking to Premier Christian News, Chris Jensen, the national director of World Vision's work in Papua New Guinea, said tribal conflicts has also contributed to the difficulty of determining figures.
"One of the challenges is that there's been some tribal fighting in areas around that part of Enga province, and with that comes a large movement of people. So it's very hard to be precise, with the number of people that might be staying in any one location at a time," he said.
Aid group CARE Australia said late on Saturday that nearly 4,000 people lived in the impact zone but the number affected was probably higher as the area is "a place of refuge for those displaced by conflicts" in nearby areas.
At least 26 men were killed in Enga Province in February in an ambush amid tribal violence that prompted Prime Minister James Marape to give arrest powers to the country's military.
The landslide left debris up to 8 metres (25 feet) deep across 200 square km (80 square miles), cutting off road access and making relief efforts difficult, CARE said.
Jensen continued: "I think being aware of these situations informs prayer. So that prayer and seeking divine support is fantastic and helpful. I think it also gives people confidence that other people have concerns and care as well."
Additional reporting by Premier Journalist.