There are unconfirmed reports that more than 60 people may be dead as a result of a tribal fight that got out of control in Papua New Guinea's Western Highlands.
PNG's deputy police commissioner, Gari Baki, says about 12 people may be dead as a result of the clash involving people from both the Western Highlands and Enga provinces.
A source says a further 50 people, including elderly women and children, are missing, feared dead from drowning when knife-wielding men from Enga chased them into Wagi River.
The dispute stemmed from the sale of a bad corn cob, which provoked an assault on an Engan girl, which in turn led to the payment of the equivalent of about US$250 in compensation.
But the source says some members of the group from Enga missed out when the money was disbursed, and returned later to attack two Western Highlanders in their office.
Both of these men, managers at a large coffee plantation at Kimil, are receiving treatment at Kudiawa Hospital.
Mr Baki says the situation's been out of control, despite the fact mobile police have arrived.
"I think the fight is getting out of hand. There is an appeal for the leaders to get together now and see what they can do to contain this tribal fight and I am certain that my police officers are working around the clock as well to assist wherever is possible for them to deal with this tribal fight."
