2,200 explosive threats removed in East New Britain

Multinational members of Operation Render Safe 26 from Australia, Canada, and Papua New Guinea stand in the crater created during the disposal of a 453kg munition in East New Britain.(Image: Supplied)

More than 2,200 dangerous munitions have been safely identified and disposed of across East New Britain during a 10-day operation involving the Papua New Guinea Defence Force [PNGDF], the Australian Defence Force [ADF] and regional partners.

Operation Render Safe 2026 was conducted in the Rabaul, Kokopo and Gazelle districts, where unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants from the Second World War continue to pose a threat to local communities.

The operation has improved safety for more than 430,000 people living in East New Britain by removing hazardous explosives, reducing risks to families and creating safer conditions for development across the province.

Director of the East New Britain Provincial Disaster and Emergency Services Centre, Donald Tokunai, said explosive remnants of war remain a serious concern more than 80 years after the war ended.

Multinational members of Operation Render Safe 2026 in Kokopo, East New Britain. (Image: Supplied)

“The number of war remnants in our communities is huge, and new discoveries are still being reported,” Mr Tokunai said.

He said the hazards continue to threaten lives, property and development across the province, making clearance operations critical for community safety and future growth.

“Clearing these items promotes community safety and supports development across our province,” he said.

Operation Render Safe is now in its 22nd year and remains an ADF-led multinational effort aimed at locating, identifying and safely disposing of explosive hazards across the Pacific.

Officer Commanding Operation Render Safe, Major Joseph Gurung, said protecting communities was a key motivation for participating teams.

He said personnel were committed to improving public safety through the removal of explosive remnants of war.

The operation also included specialised disposal activities, with some items destroyed on-site and others made safe before removal.

Mr Tokunai praised the strong support from local communities, saying residents were actively reporting suspected hazards.

Australia and Papua New Guinea continue to work closely through Operation Render Safe, strengthening defence cooperation while helping create safer communities for future generations.