American Missionary Drowns While Volunteering in Papua New Guinea’s West New Britain Province
Papua New Guinea authorities have recovered the body of an 18-year-old American missionary who drowned while swimming off Gavuvu Village in West New Britain Province.
The young missionary, a volunteer with the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) organisation, was last seen on Sunday afternoon after joining a church service at Baeau Memorial United Church. He had gone free diving with fellow team members when he failed to resurface.
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| American Missionary Drowns While Volunteering in Papua New Guinea’s West New Britain Province [Photo supplied] |
Search teams, supported by the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Services Directorate and staff from Kimbe Provincial Hospital, retrieved his body early Monday morning.
According to officials, the teenager was part of a group of eight YWAM volunteers stationed in the Hoskins area to assist with church programs and youth community projects.
Local authorities are working closely with YWAM representatives to finalise repatriation arrangements and provide support to the team still in the province.
West New Britain Provincial Administrator Leo Mapmani extended his condolences to the YWAM family and the victim’s relatives, praising the volunteers for their service. “This young man came to Papua New Guinea with a heart to help and make a difference,” Mapmani said. “His passing is deeply felt by the people of West New Britain, who are grateful for the compassion he showed to our communities.”
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