The landslide occurred in the Kaokalam village in Enga province, about 600km north of the capital Port Moresby, about 3am on Friday when most of the residents were asleep.
Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement he was yet to be fully briefed on the situation but assured that relevant authorities were working diligently to address the disaster.
Bodies are being recovered after a landslide hit the village of Kaokalam in PNG. (Ninga Role/AAP PHOTOS)
"We are sending in disaster officials, PNG Defence Force and the Department of Works and Highways to meet provincial and district officials in Enga and also start relief work, recovery of bodies, and reconstruction of infrastructure," Marape said on Friday.
"I will release further information as I am fully briefed on the scale of destruction and loss of lives."
More than 100 people died in the landslide, local media and Australian broadcaster ABC reported, although Reuters could not independently verify this.
Villagers fear the toll could be higher, local media reported.
Photos and videos posted on social media indicated the scale of destruction.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape says authorities were working diligently to address the disaster. (Ninga Role/AAP PHOTOS)
Residents could be seen scaling huge rocks scattered among tree trunks and debris left by the landslide to assess the damage.
Some images showed locals helping people trapped under buried homes and rubble and carrying them out.
PNG police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Media in the Pacific island nation said the landslide had impacted operations at the Porgera gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold through Barrick Niugini Ltd, its joint venture with China's Zijin Mining.
Barrick Gold did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.
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