PNG Riots Sparked by Pay Dispute Claim 15 Lives

“We have seen an unprecedented level of strife in our city, something that has never happened before in the history of our city.”

People run with merchandise as crowds leave shops with looted goods amid a state of unrest in Port Moresby on Jan.10, 2024. Andrew Kutan/AFP via Getty Images

A violent day of riots and looting on Jan. 10 in the capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Port Moresby, and the country’s second-largest city, Lae, has left at least 15 people dead.

The unrest was sparked by local civil servants, including police and military personnel, going on strike over a pay dispute.