Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare

All 13 people on board a plane carrying foreign tourists in Papua New Guinea were confirmed dead on Wednesday after it crashed in rugged mountains. Nine Australians and one Japanese travelling to the popular Kokoda hiking trail were among the dead following Tuesday's crash during the short flight from Port Moresby, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said. "There were no survivors from the crash," Rudd told parliament in Canberra. "This is distressing news for the families of those concerned." "There is a horrible tragedy involved when families send off their loved ones for what they expect to be the experience of a lifetime, only ... Read Full Story

All 13 people aboard a chartered plane heading to a tourist region of Papua New Guinea were killed when the plane crashed while approaching the rugged terrain during foul weather, Australia's prime minister said Wednesday. Papua New Guinea officials informed Australia that no survivors were found in the wreckage when it was located in the mountainous Kokoda region earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told parliament. The plane, carrying 11 passengers and two crew, vanished Tuesday morning in bad weather on approach to an airport nestled in the Kokoda region. Nine Australians, one Japanese and three Papua New Guineans were on board. Two of ... Read Full Story

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Wednesday said there were no survivors after a plane carrying 13 people, including nine Australians, crashed in mountains in Papua New Guinea. The plane which went missing over a mountainous area of Papua New Guinea was found by rescuers on Wednesday. Civil aviation chief Joseph Kintau told AFP the wreck had been spotted in "very difficult terrain" and emergency workers were heading to the site. "The aircraft crash wreckage has been located and the rescue team has been dispatched to give us a report," Kintau said. "Police have secured the area and the team will go in." Kintau said ... Read Full Story

China demanded Tuesday that Papua New Guinea ensure the safety of its citizens and companies following a string of attacks on Chinese-owned shops in the impoverished country. At least two people have died in the wave of violence directed at Chinese businesses, led by protesters who say Asian shops overcharge for their goods and are demanding that they be taken over by locals. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said China had "urged Papua New Guinea to take effective measures to bring the situation under control and safeguard the security and lawful rights and interests of our people." "We have urged the government ... Read Full Story

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has hit off the coast of Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on Wednesday. The quake, centered 65 miles south of Kavieng at the northern tip of the island of New Ireland, struck at 10:44 a.m. on Thursday (2010 GMT on Wednesday). It was shallow, at a depth of only 12.1 miles, the USGS said. Magnitude 6 quakes are capable of causing severe damage, but they are relatively common in Papua New Guinea, which lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic activity. (Reporting by Sandra Maler, editing by Todd ... Read Full Story