Aussies robbed on yacht

By JUNIOR UKAHA
TWO Australians were robbed onboard their yacht by a gang near Vuludava village in Kimbe, West New Britain, last Friday.
Police said the pair’s yacht was anchored near the seaside village to avoid strong winds.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp Samson Siguyaru said the gang, armed with bush knives and other weapons, boarded the yacht that night and tied up the pair before ransacking the vessel and escaping with valuables.
The Australian High Commission yesterday confirmed that two of their citizens were attacked.
Siguyaru said the terrified pair later freed themselves and used their satellite phone to call police.
He said police, with the help of the village leaders, searched the area and recovered some of the stolen items on Saturday.
“No cash were taken from the two men,” he said.
The gang is also believed to have attacked the villagers on Sunday morning.
“I’ve received reports that two villagers sustained bush knife wounds and others were injured during the attack,” Siguyaru said.
He said the two Australians, one identified as Michael Kairt, left on Saturday but the situation in the village was still tense.
“I urged the people involved to voluntarily surrender to police.
“The hands of the law are very long and we will hunt you down and catch you,” he warned.
This is the second act of piracy reported in West New Britain.
Last year, a team of seven scientists on a research trip in the area, were alleged to have been abducted by an armed gang and are yet to be found.