Two Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) soldiers are confirmed dead while another was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital with gunshot wounds after being shot during the final exercise of a Corporal Qualifying Course.
A fourth person sustaining gunshot wounds as well, is a civilian. He is also admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The Ministry of Defence in a statement confirmed this, adding that police and the defence force have commenced investigations into the incident.
The Ministry has confirmed that the incident took place in Kupiano, Central Province at 4am, this morning.
The training at Kupiano was the final phase of the Corporal Qualifying Course the soldiers have been undergoing at the Goldie River Training Depot.
Defence Minister, Win Bakri Daki said the PNGDF is ensuring that it continues to provide the duty of care to the families of the deceased and wounded members during this time.
“As the Minister responsible for Defence, I convey my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased members, and also my assurances to those who were wounded that their recovery will have our priority of support.”
The Chief of Defence Force will host a media briefing tomorrow to provide more details of the incident.
InsidePNG will bring more updates as the story develops.
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