Rabaul tourist attacker surrenders

The suspect involved in the attack on foreign tourists last month in Rabaul, East New Britain province surrendered to police this morning.

Police confirmed that the family of the suspect had been in close contact with them which led to the suspect surrendering to police.

Rabaul Police have confirmed the suspect, Solomon Wafi is wanted for robbing the Melbourne family who visited Rabaul on a Pacific Encounter cruise ship last month.

It is understood, the suspect approached the family of three which included a mother, her 13-year-old son, and her 16-year-old daughter.

The suspect came from behind and cut off the backpack of the 16-year-old daughter with a knife and later swiped the knife at her resulting in a mild wound to her chest.

The incident has since drawn attention from international media, casting a negative impression on PNG’s tourism industry, particularly East New Britain.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Belden Namah has condemned the attack stating the country will lose a lot of foreign dollars if cruise ships suspend their scheduled stopovers in the country.