Police in the capital, Port Moresby, did not immediately respond to an AP request to confirm the massacre.
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Papua New Guinea is a diverse developing country with a population of 10 million and 800 languages, located in a strategically important region of the South Pacific.
Internal security has become an increasing challenge for her government as China, the United States and Australia seek closer security ties.
Tribal violence has escalated in the Inga region since the 2022 elections that retained the administration of Prime Minister James Marape.
Inga Governor Peter Ipatas said there were warnings that tribal fighting was about to erupt.
“From a regional point of view, we knew this fight was going to be ongoing and we (warned) the security forces last week to make sure they took the appropriate action to ensure that didn't happen,” Ipatas told ABC.
Ipatas described the violence as “a very sad occasion for us in the region, which is a bad thing for the country.”
“This news from Papua New Guinea is very disturbing,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a radio interview on Monday.
“We provide significant support, particularly to the training of police and security officers in Papua New Guinea.”
He added: “We are ready to provide any support we can in a practical way, of course to help our friends in Papua New Guinea.”
Security is a major issue in Papua New Guinea, where at least 16 people were killed in riots in the country last month.
AP, Reuters
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