Media reports indicate that a minimum of 64 individuals have lost their lives in tribal conflicts in the northern highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Described by one police officer as the “largest” in the nation’s recent history, the violence unfolded in the Wapenamanda District of the Enga Province, involving the Ambulin and Sikin tribes along with their allies.

The killings commenced at dawn on Sunday, with authorities recovering around 64 bodies from various locations such as roadsides, grasslands, and hills in Wapenamanda by Monday morning, as reported by the Post-Courier newspaper.

According to the same source, rival factions engaged in the violence employed “high-powered guns,” including AK47 and M4 rifles.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) noted that the death toll is anticipated to increase, Al-Jazeera reported.

This recent outbreak of violence involves the same tribes responsible for clashes that resulted in 60 deaths in Enga Province last year.

Written by B.C. Begley