Kumbon magnum opus rolls off the press
Garo Matana, the blue-eyed child – Part 3

Two dead after Rabaul airport hold-up

Tokua airport  Rabaul (John C Cannon  Mongabay)
Tokua airport near Rabaul (John C Cannon, Mongabay)

REPORT
| Guard Dog Security Service | Edited

KOKOPO – There was an unfortunate incident this morning at Tokua airport, the aviation gateway to Rabaul and the Gazelle Peninsula.

At about 4am, three busloads of Vudal University students were at Tokua Airport terminal waiting for it to open for check in. They were booked on the early bird flight to Port Moresby.

As they waited in the car park, a group of more than 20 men attacked them. They were armed with knives and home-made guns.

The students retaliated and confronted the criminals sparking an ugly brawl that saw two of the criminals killed.

One died instantly in the car park while the other was rushed to Vunapope hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.

Two of students sustained serious knife wounds and were also rushed to the hospital. Both are reported to able to survive their injuries.

The students are mainly from the upper highlands and had graduated and were heading home. They lost mostly electronic valuables as well as their academic transcripts and certificates.

The Tokua Airport terminal is guarded by Security Assistance Services personnel, who were overpowered as students took cover in the terminal, which is badly damaged.

From an assessment of damage we can certainly say the terminal was not vandalised by the students. They were trying to seek cover as some locals, who had joined the criminals, hurled stones at them.

Our GDSS boys were first at the scene and witnessed what transpired. They were quick to transport the students out of Tokua with the help of police.

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