Papua

December 30, 2023 | The Associated Press

6.5 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Part of Indonesia’s Papua Region, No Immediate Reports of Casualties

JAKARTA, Indonesia—A powerful earthquake shook Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua early Sunday local time, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.5 quake was centered 162 kilometers (101 miles) northeast of Abepura, a subdistrict in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. It happened at […]

March 10, 2023 | The Associated Press

Papua Rebels Release Videos Showing Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot Alive

JAYAPURA, Indonesia—Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua Province released more photos and videos Friday appearing to show the New Zealand pilot they took hostage last month alive. In a video distributed Friday by rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom, a man wearing a blue jacket is identified as Philip Mark Mehrtens of Christchurch, a pilot for Indonesian aviation […]

February 23, 2023 | Reuters

1 Woman Hostage Released in Papua New Guinea, Negotiations Continue: Police

SYDNEY—A woman hostage, one of four people held captive by an armed group in the remote Papua New Guinea highlands, was released and negotiations are continuing for a “peaceful resolution” to the situation, the Pacific island nation’s police commissioner said. A group of archaeology researchers, including a professor working for an Australian university, two local […]

February 20, 2023 | Reuters

Australian Professor, Others Taken Hostage in Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister

SYDNEY—An Australian university professor is among a group taken hostage in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, the country’s prime minister said on Monday. Armed criminals had demanded cash in return for releasing the captives, who included more than one foreign citizen, police said. Police said in a statement that the hostages were being held […]

February 15, 2023 | Reuters

Rebels in Indonesia’s Papua Say Images Show Abducted NZ Pilot in Good Health

JAKARTA—Separatists in Indonesia’s restive Papua region have released images that they say show a New Zealand pilot taken hostage last week is in good health, but pledged he would not be freed until authorities acknowledge the independence of the area. The pilot, Philip Mehrtens, who flew a plane operated by airline Susi Air, was abducted […]

September 10, 2022 | Reuters

Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Papua, Indonesia, No Tsunami Warning: BMKG

JAKARTA—An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck the region of Papua in Indonesia on Saturday and has no potential to trigger a tsunami, the country’s geophysics agency (BMKG) said. The quake struck about 262 km (163 miles) east-northeast of Biak in Indonesia, at a depth of 16 km (10 miles), BMKG reported. There were no immediate […]

July 17, 2022 | Reuters

9 Shot Dead in Indonesia’s Restive Papua, Say Police

Nine people were shot dead in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua in an attack believed to be perpetrated by armed separatists, police said on Saturday. Police in the provincial capital of Jayapura told local media the incident, the deadliest in recent years, occurred on Saturday morning in the remote highland area of Nduga. “It’s true […]

April 13, 2022 | The Associated Press

18 Dead in Overloaded Truck Crash in Indonesia’s West Papua

JAKARTA, Indonesia—An overloaded truck carrying 29 people hit a hillside and overturned near an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s West Papua province on Wednesday, killing 18 people and leaving others injured, police said. The truck, crammed with miners and their families, was headed to the capital of West Papua Province Manokwari to celebrate Easter. They […]

January 25, 2022 | Reuters

At Least 19 Die in Blaze, Brawl at Karaoke Bar in Indonesia’s Papua

JAKARTA—At least 19 people have died after a karaoke bar in Indonesia’s West Papua was set ablaze following a brawl between rival gangs of youths in the area, police in the provincial capital of Sorong said on Tuesday. One person was fatally stabbed in the fight early on Tuesday before the venue was set on […]

November 10, 2021 | Reuters

Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake Strikes Near Southern Coast of Papua, Indonesia

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck the southern coast of Papua, Indonesia, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Wednesday. The quake was at a depth of 1.24 miles and was about 114 miles southwest of Nabire, Indonesia, EMSC said. By Aishwarya Nair

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