Papua New Guinea police open fire on student protest

Crowds have gathered outside Port Moresby General Hospital where some protesters are being treated

Police in Papua New Guinea have opened fire on students protesting against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Several students were injured and opposition MPs said four were killed, but this has not been independently confirmed. The students were marching from their campus in the capital, Port Moresby, towards parliament where Mr O'Neill faces a possible no confidence motion.


They are demanding that he stand down and answer corruption allegations. He denies wrongdoing and has said he will not leave office.

Footage obtained by the BBC appeared to show a large crowd of students at the campus running away as shots and tear gas were fired.


Political tension in the country has been rising for weeks, with thousands of students at the University of Papua New Guinea boycotting classes demanding the resignation of PM O'Neill over alleged corruption. Classes were officially suspended last month.

What has Peter O'Neill said?

In May, Mr O'Neill responded to a petition from students saying that he would not be resigning. He said the corruption allegations against him were of "questionable political intent", as reported by ABC.