Madang police launch homicide investigation after body washes ashore in Bogia

The body of an adult male of Asian origin was found washed ashore at Sepa village in the Bogia district of Madang late yesterday afternoon, police say.

Madang provincial police commander Supt Robert Baim confirmed last night that police officers and local district health workers were transporting the corpse to the Madang Town morgue.

“We are treating this as a murder case," Supt Baim said.

"I am calling on all fishing companies to check their crews, especially those of Asian origin, and report any missing persons from their vessels so we can properly identify the deceased."

Police suspect the deceased may have fallen off a fishing vessel or was deliberately thrown overboard.

Supt Baim said the body would be kept at the Modilon General Hospital morgue while police awaited reports from any vessel operating in PNG waters regarding missing crew.

He added that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.