Latest news in Papua New Guinea? September 6th, 2026

Here are the key news developments in Papua New Guinea for September 6, 2026:

• Moderate Earthquake East of Kokopo: A magnitude 5.5 to 6.0 earthquake struck shortly after midnight on September 6 off the coast near Ambitle Island, roughly 150 km east of Kokopo in East New Britain Province. Due to its intermediate depth (around 105–114 km), only light shaking was felt, with no major damage or casualties reported.
• Highlands Security Operations: Police in Western Highlands Province confirmed two fatalities and the arrest of 15 suspects following an outbreak of local violence, alongside ongoing regional security crackdowns on armed tribal intimidation in Enga and surrounding areas.
• Major Port Moresby Gold Heist Fallout: National police continue a wide manhunt following one of the largest robberies in PNG’s history earlier in the week, where an armed gang ambushed a security convoy in Port Moresby, making off with 25 gold bars (largely from the Porgera Gold Mine) and hundreds of thousands of kina.
• Supplementary Budget Passed: Prime Minister James Marape and the Marape-Rosso government are rolling out the 2026 Supplementary Budget passed by Parliament, which injects K1.33 billion targeting fuel subsidies, household inflation relief, and agricultural support amid ongoing El Niño weather impacts.
• Bougainville Independence Deliberations: Following discussions during the recent Pacific Islands Forum meetings, the national government and Bougainville leaders are preparing for an October summit to establish a formal timetable for Parliament to deliberate and vote on the historic 2019 referendum results.