Human trafficking victims intercepted off PNG: authorities

Papua New Guinean authorities have intercepted a fishing boat allegedly carrying human trafficking victims from Myanmar and Cambodia.

Local media reported on Monday PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill confirmed that eight people have been rescued from "enslaved" conditions and 19 crew, possibly also victims, are being questioned.

"The government was alerted by our partners of the possibility that vessels were in Papua New Guinea waters with forced labor on board," O'Neill said.

"The people rescued from the vessel are of Cambodian and Myanmar nationality and are now being accommodated in a safe location until arrangements can be made for them to return them to their homes.

"There are other vessels of interest in the area and we are following lines of inquiry into their activities."

Local media reported the boat could be part of a wider fleet of 30-odd fishing trawlers with trafficked crew off the PNG coast.

PNG defense personal intercepted and boarded the vessel on its international border with Australia in the Torres Strait, near Daru in the Western Province last Monday, O'Neill said.

International Organization of Migration chief of mission to PNG, George Gigauri, told local newspaper, Post Courier, on Monday that people must remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings as human trafficking is prevalent throughout the world, not just in the poorest regions.

"It can happen to senior citizens, it can happen to old people, it happens to men, it happens to women, it can happen to everyone, " Gigauri said.

"You should never assume things and you should never believe people just because they tell you to do something. Endi