In a remote region of Papua New Guinea, a series of brutal attacks by a gang of young men has reportedly left dozens dead.
Survivors described hearing the agonized cries of their neighbors and witnessing people being speared as they tried to escape by canoe.
Local media report at least 26 fatalities, including 16 children, with fears that the toll could rise to 50 as the search for survivors continues.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the “shocking” violence, attributing it to a dispute over land and lake ownership. He urged officials to ensure accountability for those responsible.
The attack occurred between July 16 and 18 in East Sepik province’s Angoram district, where Governor Allan Bird noted there are only 20 police officers for a population of 100,000.
National police have since arrived to assist in the investigation, although it has been over a week since the violence erupted.
The gang, known as “I don’t care,” used guns, knives, and axes in their assault, which reportedly involved rape, murder, and arson.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, including one woman who floated for hours on a log, trying to avoid detection. “I could hear women wailing in pain, children crying out,” she said.
Another survivor described the attack as a “surprise,” with villagers left feeling “helpless.” Many who survived fled into the bush, abandoning the dead.
Senior Inspector James Baugen of provincial police described the grim scene, with bodies left to decay or taken by crocodiles. He noted that many victims were mothers with their children.
Governor Bird highlighted a decline in law and order in the region over the past six months, linking it to previous violence.
A similar attack over land disputes in February resulted in 26 deaths, and a tribal conflict in Enga province a year ago led to a three-month lockdown with curfews and travel restrictions.
Source-BBC
