Tribal clashes in Papua New Guinea: 53 dead

South Pacific nation Papua New Guinea has seen tribes turn on each other.

At least 53 people lost their lives in clashes that broke out yesterday between members of two tribes in the country's northern Enga province.

Police announced that a group from one of the rival tribes ambushed the other in a mountainous region in the north.

Senior Police Official George Kakas stated, "Tribal members were killed in the countryside, among the bushes."

'WE WARNED SECURITY FORCES'

Enga Governor Peter Ipatas also said there had been warnings that tribal clashes could break out in the region at any moment.

Ipatas remarked, "We knew this fight was going to continue. We warned the security forces last week to ensure they took appropriate measures to prevent this from happening. It is a very, very sad event for us and a bad thing for the country."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the news was very disturbing, saying, "We are providing significant support, particularly for the training of police officers and the maintenance of security in Papua New Guinea."

Meanwhile, it was learned that the tribes involved in the clash in Enga were also responsible for the clashes that took place in the same province last year, which left 60 people dead.

While Papua New Guinea is home to hundreds of tribes, many of these tribes live in remote areas far from the center.