At least 15 dead after police strike in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape declared a state of emergency on Thursday after a police strike prompted fatal riots and extensive looting. The unrest centered around the island nation’s capital, Port Moresby, where eight people were killed, according to Australian media ABC. Seven other people died in the country’s second-largest city of Lae. Over a dozen buildings were burned after hundreds took to the streets on Wednesday night. Footage shows the aftermath of smashed windows and emptied stores, with garbage strewn in the streets.

Why were police striking? Police and other members of the public sector mounted a strike on Wednesday morning after discovering cuts to their wages. The government said the reduction was a clerical error that would be fixed by the next payday. However, what started as a peaceful protest held by strikers outside Parliament descended into violent rioting. Marape said the chief of police has been suspended, along with other leaders in the finance, treasury, and other departments. The PM also said 1,000 troops are on standby to quell further violence.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger’s report in WORLD Magazine about bringing the gospel to Papua New Guinea.