13 May 2014

Reports of attempted suicides on PNG's Manus

7:38 pm on 13 May 2014

The Refugee Action Coalition says an asylum seeker held by Australia on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea attempted suicide by drowning today, in what is the third attempt by an asylum seeker in two weeks.

The man, who is believed to be an African asylum seeker, ran into the sea about 1pm but was apparently rescued by Wilson security guards.

The coalition says two Lebanese asylum seekers also reportedly tried to drown themselves on April the 28th.

It says tensions are again mounting as the detention centre operator Transfield of Australia tries to re-introduce local PNG workers, despite allegations of their involvement in an attack that left an asylum seeker dead and scores injured.

Since the unrest in February, local PNG workers have only been employed outside the compound.