Tribes clash over gold mine in 'that' country: At least 30 dead

According to initial reports, more than 30 people have lost their lives in clashes between two groups illegally mining gold near the Porgera Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea.

According to a report by Radio New Zealand (RNZ), hundreds of people have fled the region due to the clashes between the two groups, which have been ongoing for approximately 4 days, and operations at the gold mine have been suspended.

Local authorities announced that criminal organizations have set fire to many buildings in Porgera and that, according to initial findings, more than 20 people were killed in the clashes between the two groups attempting to mine gold illegally.

DEATH TOLL MAY BE MUCH HIGHER THAN ESTIMATED

Officials stated that security forces have been insufficient in controlling the clashes and that the death toll could be much higher than initially thought.

Families who worked at the gold mine and were forced to flee the region for security reasons claimed in statements to local media that the town is under the control of criminal organizations and that residents are being killed indiscriminately.

Lakis Ruing, a lawyer and prominent community leader in the Porgera region, also said that security forces have been unable to control the clashes.

Ruing stated, 'We need leadership. The government needs to send more police and soldiers to the region to suppress the clashes.'

In a statement made by police authorities, it was noted that the police have declared a state of emergency in the region due to the clashes that continued over the weekend and are focusing on protecting critical infrastructure and local residents.

The police have declared the area an 'off-limits zone' for individuals without residency and have imposed a curfew in the Porgera Valley from evening hours until 08:00 in the morning.