U.S. State Department: Papua New Guinea Remains Level 3 'Reconsider Travel'

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Papua New Guinea travel advisory after periodic review, keeping it at Level 3 'Reconsider Travel' due to crime, civil unrest and piracy, with increased caution urged over kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent healthcare and natural disasters. Central Bougainville, particularly near the Panguna mine, and the Highlands region other than Mt. Hagen and Goroka are Level 4 'Do Not Travel.' The advisory notes violent crime including sexual assault, carjackings, home invasions and armed robberies is common; tribal or communal tensions can trigger violence without warning; police presence is limited outside Port Moresby; U.S. government employees nee…