Provincial Police Commander Albert Beli said the deceased pair had allegedly gone there with another friend, to look for gold. The deceased were identified as John San 23, from Wingei 1, Yangoru District, and Jacob Aikon 40, from Kreer Village in Wewak.
According to police reports, the three men went to the tunnel on Sunday 19 June. They took with them a water pump and a metal detector. The third man however felt uneasy and refused to go into the tunnel. He told police he left his two friends at the tunnel and returned.
