Airlines PNG refers compo claim to insurers

AIRLINES PNG has referred a compensation claim by Kokoda villagers to its insurers to assess, it said in a statement yesterday.
The Kokoda villagers, in Oro province, are claiming compensation, saying the Aug 11 Twin Otter aircraft crash in the area caused damage to their land, water and forest.
The crash killed 13 people – nine Australians, three Papua New Guineans and a Japanese.
The remains of those killed were retrieved, but villagers recently discovered some body parts that remained.
These were collected at the weekend.
The villagers are claiming compensation from Airlines PNG, which operated the aircraft which crashed, the Australian government and a tour company.
Airlines PNG said yesterday that it had received an insurance claim from the Kokoda villagers as had been widely reported in the media.
“We can confirm that we have received a claim and we have referred it onto our insurers for assessment. 
“We are not at liberty to discuss the claim in any further detail as it is now in the hands of the insurers,” the airline statement said.