At least 26 people killed by gangs in remote areas of Papua New Guinea

2024-07-26 05:48:01

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A gang has killed at least 26 people in three remote villages in northern Papua New Guinea, the United Nations and police in the South Pacific nation say.

“This is something very horrific (…) When I approached the area, I saw there were children, men, women. They were killed by 30 men,” East Sepik provincial acting police commander James Bogen James Baugen told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.

Baogen told ABC that all the houses in the village had been set on fire and remaining residents had taken refuge in a police station, too scared to identify the perpetrators.

“Some bodies abandoned at night were taken to the swamp by crocodiles. We only saw the place where they were killed. The attackers have gone into hiding and no arrests have been made yet,” Baogen said.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Walker Turk said in a statement on Wednesday that the attacks occurred on July 16 and July 18.

“I am alarmed by the shocking outbreak of deadly violence in Papua New Guinea, apparently caused by disputes over the ownership and use of land and lakes,” Turk said.

Turk said at least 26 people are believed to have died, including 16 children.

“As local authorities search for the missing, this number may rise to 50 people. In addition, more than 200 residents fled after their homes were set on fire,” Turk said.

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