Pirates rob Luxury Yacht in Madang

Pirates robbed luxury yacht belonging to Australian billionaire Kerry Stokes  in Madang.  Food and diving equipment were reportedly stolen.

News of the theft broke from ABC Australia just before 10 o’clock last night. ABC reported that Mr Stokes’s family were thankfully not on board at the time.

 

The National newspaper reported a statement from former Governor for Madang, Sir Peter Barter, who detailed the further looting of other valuables such as watches and mobile phones.

 

Three robbers, armed with bush-knives, had allegedly reached the luxury yacht by row boat and although they were reportedly confronted by the Papua New Guinean crew, there were no reports of injuries and the robbers escaped in their boat.

 

The move was described as ‘out of character’ as Mr Stokes and his family had been travelling to Madang for years and ‘the people up there are wonderful,’ a spokeswoman for the Seven Network said.

 

The National newspaper attained a statement from Jane Naso, Director of the Madang Culture Tourism Bureau, who called out the shocking nature of the robbery, especially due to Madang’s contribution to the tourism sector.

 

Miss Naso apologised to the Stokes family and Cairns on behalf of Madang and assured that those held responsible will face justice.  

 

PNG’s Minister for Tourism, Boka Kondra, is expected to make a statement on the incident.