Violence Erupts in Papua New Guinea, Leaving 26 Dead

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A brutal attack by a gang in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals across three remote villages. Acting Provincial Police Commander James Baugen described the scene as horrific, noting that the victims included men, women, and children. The assailants, identified as a group of 30 young men, set fire to the villages, forcing survivors to seek refuge at a local police station, where they remain too frightened to identify the attackers. The violence appears to stem from ongoing disputes over land and lake ownership, a common source of conflict in Papua New Guinea, where tribal affiliations often dictate land rights. Baugen warned that the death toll could rise as local authorities continue to search for missing persons. The situation is exacerbated by under-resourced police forces that struggle to intervene in such conflicts, according to local analysts. This incident is not isolated; it follows a pattern of escalating violence in the region. Earlier this year, a gunbattle in Enga province resulted in the deaths of at least 26 combatants and numerous bystanders. The Papua New Guinea government has reported over 2,000 deaths related to tribal conflicts, while the United Nations estimates the toll at 670. The internal security issues in Papua New Guinea have drawn international attention, particularly as China seeks to expand its influence in the region. Australia, the former colonial power, has responded by strengthening its security ties with Papua New Guinea, highlighting the geopolitical stakes involved in the ongoing violence.