Dozens of people have been killed following a tribal dispute in Papua New Guinea’s remote Highlands region.
Authorities in the country said the victims were shot dead during an ambush in the Enga province over the weekend in the region that has long struggled with violence, but these killings are believed to be the worst in years.
Proliferation of illegal firearms have caused constant clashes and fuelled a cycle of violence.
At least 64 people were initially reported to have died, but later reports said they had miscounted and revised the toll down to 26.
Police reportedly started collecting bodies at the scene near the town of Wabag – roughly 600km (373 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby.
“This is by far the largest (killing) I have seen in Enga, maybe in all of the Highlands as well,” Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Supt, George Kakas told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“We are all devastated; we are all mentally stressed out. It is really hard to comprehend.”
Police received graphic videos and photos purporting to be from the scene, showing bodies loaded onto a truck, media outlets said.
Increasing tribal conflict – often over the distribution of land and wealth – led to a three-month lockdown in Enga last July, during which police imposed a curfew and travel restrictions.
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