More than 50 people have been killed after a tribal ambush in Papua New Guinea.
Authorities say 53 people were shot dead during a tribual dispute in the Enga Province in the remote Highlands.
The BBC says police have appealed for calm in the region, although they have confirmed they expect the death toll to climb.
The Highlands area has long been plagued by violence. Although this is thought to be the worst killings in years.
Officers have now begun collecting bodies at the scene, which is close to the town of Wabag. The incident took place around 373 miles away from the capital of Port Moresby.
“This is by far the largest [killing] I’ve seen in Enga, maybe in all of Highlands as well,” Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Acting Supt George Kakas said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“We’re all devastated, we’re all mentally stressed out. It’s really hard to comprehend.”
Tribal conflicts, often over land and wealth, led to a three-month lockdown in Enga last July. It say police curfews and travel restrictions.
An influx of illegal guns has made the clashes worse in recent years. Governor Peter Ipatas was concerned fighting could erupt again ahead of the ambush, says the ABC.
Ipatas said: “From a provincial perspective, we knew this fight was going to be on and we [alerted] the security forces last week to make sure they took appropriate action to ensure this didn’t occur.”
Security also remains a concern for the nation. The government last month declared a state of emergency after major rioting and looting left at least 15 people dead.
