Dozens Killed in Papua New Guinea Village Attacks Amid Land Dispute

In a tragic series of attacks in Papua New Guinea's East Sepik province, at least 26 villagers, including 16 children, have been killed by a gang of young men. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, including the sounds of their neighbors' cries and witnessing brutal assaults as victims attempted to escape in canoes. The death toll is feared to rise to 50 as search efforts for survivors continue, highlighting the severity of the violence. United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the "shocking" violence, attributing it to a dispute over land and lake ownership. He urged local officials to ensure accountability for those responsible. The region, particularly the Angoram district, is severely under-policed, with only 20 officers available for a population of 100,000. National police have since arrived to assist in the investigation, more than a week after the initial attacks. The gang, reportedly calling themselves “I don’t care,” was armed with guns, knives, and axes, launching their assault in the early hours. One survivor described her desperate attempt to remain silent while clinging to a log, as the chaos unfolded around her. Provincial police commander Senior Inspector James Baugen noted that many bodies were left to decay in the village, while others were lost to crocodiles in the river. Governor Allan Bird indicated that law and order have been deteriorating in the region for the past six months, with similar land ownership disputes leading to previous violent incidents, including a February attack in the Highlands that also resulted in 26 deaths.