8 Feb 2021

Oro governor seeks better histroical record of PNG volcano

From , 6:00 am on 8 February 2021

The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Oro province, Gary Juffa, wants to establish a better record of the Mt Lamington disaster.

Last month was the seventy year-anniversary of a major volcanic explosion of the mountain.

Authorities estimated that around four thousand people died in the eruption.

But Mr Juffa says the figure is likely to be far higher.

The governor told Johnny Blades he's also seeking to have the mountain known by its indigenous name.

Sumbiripa (Mt Lamington) 1951

Sumbiripa (Mt Lamington) 1951 Photo: Wally Johnson, Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources