BOAT SURVIVORS REMAIN IN TOWN

The six boat survivors remain in town, pending a police investigation and security clearance for them to go back home, a government source told PNG SUN.

The survivors consist of five men and one mysterious boy of the Southern Highlands origin.

They were flown back to Port Moresby from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in an Air Niugini plane recently due to high security risks at the Buka Airport.

They are still under the custody of PNG and AROB authorities in the city.

Earlier, after interrogations were concluded, they were cleared to have traveled back to the island on the plane with ABG leaders but relatives of two missing passengers, who fronted at the Buka Airport, demanding answers on the whereabouts of the duo. They threatened to retaliate on them. The armed relatives destroyed properties and threatened the relatives of the survivors.

Reports say there were eight passengers on board an ill-fated dinghy destined to AROB from New Ireland. Due to bad weather maneuvering, the boat ran out of fuel. They were drifted on sea for nearly a month until a Chinese fishing vessel salvaged them to safety in Kiribati.

PNG Authorities including Department of Foreign Affairs, PNG Immigration and Citizenship, and National Disaster Office facilitated their return to the capital city from Kiribati via Fiji.

The source informed that police were communicating with the relatives of the duo to ease the tension before the six travel back to the island.

WANPIS AKO
WANPIS AKO
Managing Editor who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Papua New Guinea. He possesses additional Diploma each in Marketing and Business Management.

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