Pacific / Papua New Guinea

PNG police investigate bus attack in Enga - multiple fatalities reported

10:53 am on 23 October 2024

Police said bodies were found inside the bus and scattered in nearby bushland. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins

An attack on a bus in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province has left a number of people dead and others wounded.

It happened on Monday evening, according to the Post-Courier newspaper.

It said the bus was attacked by armed men, who shot randomly leaving the PMV, or Public Motor Vehicle, strewn with bullet holes.

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  • Police said bodies were found inside the bus and scattered in nearby bushland.

    The PMV was taken to Wabag General Hospital, where the bodies were removed, with hospital staff warning there may be other victims at the ambush site.

    The local MP, Aimos Akem, is blaming the deaths on the escalating violence linked to the ongoing conflict in Porgera.

    Sixty-two illegal miners arrested at the Porgera mine site last week were on Monday charged with trespass.