The kind of news that gives PNG a very violent reputation…

Tourists attacked

The National Newspaper (22/09/06)

By ZACHERY PER


A JAPANESE tourist in PNG for the Goroka Show is undergoing an emergency
operation after he was slashed in the right arm by raskols yesterday.
After the show, Naoki Tazama and his wife had decided to stay on in
Eastern Highlands province for a week. However, yesterday, they were
attacked by two armed men at the Goroka main market.
Reports said the couple was waiting to cross the road when the raskols
emerged from Kakaruk market and attacked them. Naoki was slashed on the
wrist and dropped their bag, which one of the raskols grabbed and ran
into the Kakaruk market and disappeared among the crowd. His other
friend walked away and disappeared among the crowd.
It is believed the bag contained a substantial amount of money and other
valuable items and documents.
Police arrived minutes later the suspects had disappeared.
The Japanese couple was rushed on a PMV truck to the Goroka Base
Hospital where Naoki was admitted to the intensive care unit and
operated upon due to severely damaged tendons and blood vessels.
Hospital staff said Naoki was in a stable condition last night.
Provincial police commander Superintendent Philip Solala said he was not
aware of the incident.
Attempts to get comments from the local tour company, responsible for
the couple’s security and welfare, last night were unsuccessful.
During the Goroka show over the Independence weekend, a number of
visitors from overseas also fell victim to pocket pickers and thieves.