A freak landslide in Gizo Western Province has killed a young mother, a teacher by profession.

Various sources in Gizo say that the young mother was buried in the landslide with her daughter which was triggered by heavy rain.

The incident occurred at about 7am this morning in an area close to the correctional services compound, according to a police official.

Rescuers worked through torrential rain and strong winds to try and reach the pair but were only able to get the daughter out alive. The teenager is in a stable condition at the Gizo hospital.

The mother was eventually found but she had suffered a blow to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

People that rushed to rescue the trapped residents say that the landslide was the first in recent memory. 

With RNZ International