Security concerns have been raised in Papua New Guinea as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence. The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby has issued a security alert due to potential criminal activity associated with major events planned for the occasion.
Recent incidents during the PNG Story Highlands Day at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium highlighted these concerns. According to reports, large crowds and opportunistic individuals led to security breaches, prompting police to fire tear gas and warning shots. There were also reports of vehicles being stoned, attempted carjackings, and robberies.
Further events are scheduled, including the final PNG Story regional day on July 26 at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. The embassy advises U.S. citizens to carefully consider attending these events due to safety risks.
The embassy emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and following security policies to reduce crime risk. They offer several recommendations: avoiding night travel, planning routes away from traffic and major events, maintaining a low profile, using alarms consistently, locking car doors and windows while driving, not displaying wealth, not resisting robbery attempts physically, reviewing personal security plans, and saving key emergency contacts on phones.