Porgera, Papua New Guinea — A devastating attack on a passenger bus near the Porgera mine in Enga Province has left residents fearing the emergence of a dangerous new phase of tribal warfare, after gunmen killed at least seven people and injured up to 13 others. The attack occurred late Tuesday night when armed assailants wielding guns and machetes staged a roadblock and ambushed the bus, escalating ongoing communal tensions in the region.
Enga Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Fred Yakasa, confirmed the casualties and mentioned that the police were urgently investigating the motives behind the ambush, focusing on ensuring public safety and preventing further violence. The incident, exemplified by graphic content shared widely on social media, depicted the grim aftermath with several bodies visible inside the damaged vehicle, surrounded by shattered glass.
Locals at the scene made frantic efforts to aid the wounded, extracting them from the wreckage and transporting them to a nearby hospital where they are now receiving treatment. According to Superintendent Yakasa, a special task force has been initiated by the police to further investigate the incident, alongside a curfew imposed from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the affected area to maintain order.
Since it first opened in 1989, the Porgera mine has been at the epicenter of significant wealth but has also provoked considerable conflict due to illegal mining operations. These activities have often fueled deadly clashes among local tribes, leading to calls from community leaders for increased security measures and governmental intervention.
In response to the continuing unrest, Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has expressed his intentions to extend the current state of emergency to wider areas along the Highlands Highway, covering multiple districts including Kompiam, Porgera, and Wabag. He emphasized the need for law enforcement to adopt more assertive roles rather than acting as mediators in these conflicts.
Prime Minister Marape is also advocating for legislation that will grant broader powers to police and military forces involved in maintaining public order. The impending bill, expected to be tabled in November, aims to equip law enforcement with enhanced capabilities for rapid and effective responses to such violent incidents, ensuring better protection for both officers and civilians.
Public concern has spiked following this latest attack, as it is perceived as a potential shift towards increasingly uncontrolled and lethal tribal warfare. One Porgera resident expressed terror at the new level of violence which indiscriminately targets civilians, emphasizing the desperate need for enhanced security presence in both local districts.
Adding a layer of complexity, a United Nations humanitarian advisor noted that the ambush did not immediately pose broader humanitarian consequences; however, ongoing monitoring is crucial to address any potential spillover effects in the already volatile region.
The attack also raises significant concerns about the safety of public transportation amidst such violence, with authorities advising locals to avoid using public buses that are frequently targeted in tribal conflicts. Amidst the continuing tension, humanitarian organizations are striving to provide necessary support to the affected communities, though their efforts are increasingly hampered by the security situation.
As investigations continue, the recent eruption of violence in Enga Province underscores the delicate balance between resource wealth, local economies, and tribal allegiances that persistently challenge peace and development in Papua New Guinea.