26 people, mostly children, killed in violent raids in PNG

Warning: Distressing content

26 people, including 16 children, have been killed by a group of more than 30 men in a series of violent raids in remote Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The United Nations (UN) has condemned the killings, which it alleged were part of a land dispute between tribal groups in the East Sepik province.

The UN and local media also allege the group of men raped women and children.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said he was “horrified” by the “shocking eruption of deadly violence” and called on authorities to investigate.

East Sepik, PNG

The attacks took place in the East Sepik region of PNG, located on the country’s northern coast.

The region is home to roughly 430,000 people, with many villages on the Sepik River.

Earlier this year, the province was hit by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. It destroyed around 1,000 homes and killed at least five people.

Violent raids

A series of violent raids on three villages in PNG’s East Sepik province killed at least 26 people, according to UN officials. Homes were burned, forcing more than 200 people to flee.

Acting provincial police commander James Baugen told local news the attacks were carried out by 33 men. He’s quoted saying they were armed with guns, knives, and axes.

The UN did not confirm this report.

UN authorities said the violence allegedly centred on land disputes.

Sexual violence

The UN’s Resident Coordinator in PNG, Richard Howard, said there had been reports of sexual violence against women and girls.

“The brutalisation of innocent villagers, especially the sexual violence… is utterly unacceptable,” he said.

The UN children’s agency UNICEF also expressed concerns.

UNICEF PNG representative Angela Kearney said it showed a “disturbing trend of tribal violence aimed at the most vulnerable, particularly women and children”.