By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — A group of Australian and New Zealand hikers along with their local tour guides were attacked by robbers wielding machetes on Tuesday in Papua New Guinea.
The eight tourists were settled in their tents on Black Cat Track, a remote jungle clad, when a mob of six armed men struck around dusk. Two tour guides were hacked to death with machetes, one reportedly partially decapitated. Six others were seriously wounded, including one hiker who was speared through the leg.
“It started to rain and some of us were inside the tents when there was a whole lot of noise, shouting. I thought the boys had found a bush kangaroo, an animal or something like that.” one of the survivors, Nick Bennett told Channel Nine after arriving in the capital Port Moresby.
“Next thing, I thought ‘what’s going on’, I put my head outside the tent and smack – I thought I’d been shot actually. “ Bennett said of being hit with a rifle butt.
“Blood just erupted out of my head and I looked up and I saw this guy with a mask on standing over me, and then the whole thing unfolded. They were laying into the porter boys. I realized they were butchering the porters. It was just appalling and we’re very fortunate.” Bennett added.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the attackers, once captured, would face the death penalty. “These are appalling crimes, and they attract the death penalty under laws passed by the national parliament.” he said.
No arrests have been made in relation to the attack, and the precise motive remains unclear. Papua New Guinea trackers and police are working to the find the group. Some suggest that local rivalries, or resentment at the beneficiaries of the trekking industry, were the cause.
The Australian hikers were transported and treated in Port Moresby where they were expected to meet with Australian high commissioner before flying home on Thursday.
Due to the attack, Australia has issued a warning for hikers wanting to take on Black Cat Track. The Black Cat Track is notorious for its toughness and takes an average of six days for experienced hikers to complete. The Tacks was the scene of vicious fights in 1943 between Australian and U.S. troops against Japanese forces.
For further information, please see:
BBC News – PNG machete attackers should ‘face death penalty’ – 12 September 2013
South China Morning Post – Trekkers attacked by PNG bandits tell of horror – 12 September 2013
IOL News – Tourists tell of PNG machete attack – 12 September 2013
Yahoo! News – Trekkers recount savage attack by PNG bandits – 12 September 2013
The Guardian – PNG prime minister calls for death penalty for trek attack – 12 September 2013
