Five killed in ethnic clash at Waigani

Five people are confirmed dead following a violent ethnic clash at North Waigani in Port Moresby early this morning.

NCD/Central Police Commander Benjamin Turi confirmed the fatalities to NBC National News this afternoon.

The confrontation, which involved two ethnic groups, led to the complete destruction of the Waigani Market, which was set ablaze in the early hours. Nearby properties and homes were also threatened as the fire spread rapidly.

An eyewitness told NBC News that the violence was allegedly triggered when a man was stabbed after refusing to hand over K2 to a group near the Stop & Shop fire gate.

Attempting to flee, the victim ran toward the nearby police station but was struck by a speeding vehicle, suffering severe leg injuries.

The situation quickly escalated. Smoke and flames soon engulfed the market, reducing it and surrounding shelters to ashes.

Police later discovered a body among the charred remains of makeshift shelters along the Waigani drain area believed to have been occupied by one of the ethnic groups involved.

Commander Turi reported that the body was found decapitated with the remains taken to the morgue.

The body was one of the five lives lost during the clash.

Turi said people have lost respect for human live and it is sad situation when people no longer respect the law and take matters into their own hands.