Papua New Guinea Prime Minister declares state of emergency in capital

Papua New Guinea's prime minister declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital Port Moresby.

People run with merchandise as crowds leave shops with looted goods amid a state of unrest in Port Moresby on January 10, 2024. (Photo | AFP) 

PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea's prime minister declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital Port Moresby on Thursday, after riots in two cities left 15 people dead as crowds looted and burned shops.

More than 1,000 troops were on standby "to step in wherever necessary" under the emergency decree, Prime Minister James Marape announced, a day after the violence broke out.