Latest news At least 20 killed in massacres in Papua New Guinea

In the course of a tribal feud in Papua New Guinea, at least 20 people have reportedly been brutally killed in the past two days. The violence in the province of Enga, around 600 kilometers northwest of the capital Port Moresby, was triggered by disputes between different clans, as the local newspaper "Courier Post" reported. Videos circulated in the media showed corpses lying in the middle of the road.

Attackers were said to be killing anyone who got in their way. Many houses had also been set on fire. "Fear reigns throughout the Porgera Valley as feuding tribes seek retribution and revenge," wrote "The National" newspaper. Many tribes whose members live in the western part of Enga are involved.

Residents flee to mining camps

The desperate population had taken refuge in mining camps and were waiting there in the rain without food. The huge Porgera gold mine is located nearby. There are currently not enough police officers in the region to deal with the violence. No further details on the background to the massacres were initially released.

As recently as July, at least 26 people were murdered with spears, knives and axes in attacks on three villages in the north of Papua New Guinea. Many of the victims were children. As is often the case in the island state, the violence in the province of East Sepik was triggered by disputes over land and water rights.

Tribal wars are not uncommon

The recent attacks were the third serious outbreak of violence in Papua New Guinea this year. Back in February, more than 50 people were killed in a tribal feud in the Enga province, which has now been affected again.

The tropical island of Papua New Guinea lies north of Australia. It is wild and partly unexplored. Ten million inhabitants live in the Commonwealth country, most of them in abject poverty - despite rich deposits of raw materials such as oil, gas and gold. Tribal wars between indigenous groups have been going on for a long time, especially in the highlands. Mutual accusations are followed by attacks, which are then often met with retaliatory strikes.