Australia is warning travellers that high crime levels in Papua New Guinea rise before Christmas, after heavily armed bandits robbed passengers and smashed up an airport.
A group of 30 men stormed Nadzab airport early on Monday, reportedly keeping passengers captive for about two hours while they ransacked offices before fleeing.
The attack the airport, 40km outside Lae, PNG's second biggest city, has prompted an updated warning about PNG crime on Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
"Approximately 30 heavily armed criminals caused significant damage to the terminal," the smartraveller section of the website says.
"Travellers are reminded that crime rates in PNG remain high, and typically increase in the run-up to Christmas."
The men hit the airport at 1:30am PNG time, armed with pistols, rifles, homemade guns and machetes, the ABC is reporting.
"The nine security guards manning the airport said they were out-numbered and ordered at gunpoint to huddle up with the passengers in front of the terminal," police spokesman David Terry told the ABC.
Mr Terry said there were about 30 passengers, and one was beaten with the butt of a gun, as the men looted food and office equipment, smashing windows and doors.
Mr Terry reportedly posted photos of the incident online, showing clothes and personal effects strewn across the airport floor, and a blackened safe that appeared to be damaged by fire.
DFAT also said it continues to advise Australians to reconsider the need to travel to Porgera township in Enga Province in the northern highlands of PNG.
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