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fullscreen Smoke rises from a building associated with riots in Papua New Guinea’s capital on Thursday. Photo: Str
At least 15 people have been killed in riots in Papua New Guinea since soldiers, police and prison guards began anti-government protests after unpaid wages.
The unrest started on Wednesday evening after a group of soldiers, police and prison guards began a protest against the country’s government in the capital, Port Moresby.
The government employees protested that their salary was withheld without explanation.
The government quickly promised to remedy what was described as a “wage error”, but several people managed to join the protests, which then degenerated into looting.
Crowds set fire to buildings and ransacked shops in the riots, which overnight spread 300 kilometers north to the city of Lae.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape apologized on Thursday for the violence, saying the “lawless” outbreaks “would not be tolerated”.
He stated that the situation was calmer in the morning, but admitted that there was still unrest in parts of the capital.
China has lodged a complaint with the government of Papua New Guinea following reports that insurgents targeted Chinese-owned companies.
Eight people lost their lives in Port Moresby and seven people were killed in Lae, according to police.