NAC reports casualties in morning blaze

The National Airports Corporation (NAC) had advised with great sadness that in the early hours of this morning (between 2-3am), three staff houses were engulfed in flames resulting in eight fatalities.

NAC says three survivors are now being treated for serious burns at the Nonga Base General Hospital.

The cause of the incident (fire) is unknown at this stage, as police and relevant agencies are carrying out investigations to determine it.

The chairman of the NAC Board, Reuben Aila, has expressed great sadness “with a heavy heart we advise that we have lost some precious lives this morning from the NAC family at Tokua. We pray for the affected families and are offering comfort and support”.

NAC has established an emergency control centre here in Port Moresby. NAC first response team has been dispatched to Tokua as of 10am this morning. NAC is currently working around the clock to address the current situation.

Aila would like to thank all the emergency services and stakeholders in East New Britain Province for their immediate response and assistance at this time.

NAC advises that Tokua Airport will remain open and operations will not be affected.

Author: 
Press release