Coastal villagers warned

National, Normal
Source:

PISAI GUMAR

COASTAL villagers from Salamaua and across the Huon Gulf to Labuta in Morobe province have been warned to be on the lookout and not open any container washed ashore.
Two containers have Class B explosives and “flammable gas” as well as other dangerous explosives that could either be adrift or have sunk anywhere in between the two LLGs of Morobe province, authorities said yesterday.
The containers could also be floating above sea level or floating beneath the surface, rescue workers said.
PNG Defence Force explosives experts and the Morobe disaster office were yesterday sent to the gulf to check the containers.
By last night, they were unsuccessful.
Authorities are concerned because the report from responsible companies is not clear on whether the containers have labels or symbols.
If the explosives are in containers labelled as “DG” or have yellow diamonds painted on, then it would be easy to be identify, they said.
The containers fell into the sea after the barge, mv Lihir Express, ran aground last Saturday night on the Salamaua coast.
The containers could be carried back by tides to Lae at unknown depths between Schollenbruch and Bumung point of Salamaua, the officials said.
There was fear that people could break open the containers and place their lives at risk.