What to do if someone dies in Papua New Guinea

When Someone Dies in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is one of the most logistically demanding repatriations a UK family can face. PNG’s geography is extreme: road connectivity between provinces is almost non-existent, the Highlands are accessible only by small aircraft, and the country’s forensic and administrative infrastructure is under-resourced relative to its size.

The positive news: there is a resident British High Commission in Port Moresby. This is a material advantage over Vanuatu, Samoa, or Tonga. The British High Commission Port Moresby will appoint a consular officer to the case from day one.

Engage a specialist UK repatriation company immediately alongside notifying the High Commission. Do not attempt to coordinate this from the UK without specialist support.

Step 1: Immediate Notifications

1. British High Commission Port Moresby — first official contact.
2. FCDO Emergency Travel Line in London: 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours).
3. Appoint a specialist UK repatriation company immediately.

The High Commission provides consular assistance but does not arrange repatriation. A specialist service is required for mortuary, documentation, and logistics coordination.

Step 2: Location and Evacuation to Port Moresby

The location of death determines the first phase of the repatriation.

Port Moresby (National Capital District): Documentation can begin at Port Moresby General Hospital without evacuation. Note that Port Moresby has high urban crime rates — deaths in criminal incidents involve the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary from the outset.

Lae (Morobe Province): PNG’s second city and main industrial port. Deaths here involve Angau Memorial Hospital. Charter flight to Port Moresby takes around 1 hour.

Highlands provinces (Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands): These provinces have very limited road connections to coastal PNG. Transfer to Port Moresby requires charter aircraft from provincial airstrips. This phase takes 3 to 7 days depending on weather and charter availability. Highlands weather — intense rainfall, cloud cover — can ground flights for days.

Kokoda Track: The 96-km track through the Owen Stanley Range is a major destination for British trekkers. Deaths on the Track require helicopter evacuation. The nearest significant medical facility is Port Moresby General, roughly 50 km from the southern (Kokoda village) end of the Track. Helicopter evacuation takes 1 to 3 hours depending on location on the Track.

Island provinces (New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Milne Bay outer islands): Charter aircraft to Port Moresby from Kokopo (East New Britain) takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Remote island provinces take longer.

Step 3: Port Moresby General Hospital

Post-mortem examinations take place at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). Forensic pathology capacity is limited. For complex deaths, waiting time for a pathologist is a significant variable. The British High Commission can assist in prioritising examination through diplomatic channels.

Step 4: Sorcery Accusations and Tribal Complexity

PNG has over 800 languages and deep customary law traditions. In some rural and Highlands communities, unexpected deaths are attributed to sorcery. This attribution can trigger community processes — accusations, rituals, sometimes violence against the accused — that delay or obstruct formal investigation by police.

If any indication of sorcery accusation or tribal conflict involvement emerges, contact the British High Commission immediately. This is not an administrative matter; it requires diplomatic engagement at the community and provincial government level.

Step 5: Security Risks

The FCDO rates the crime threat in Port Moresby and Lae as HIGH. Carjacking, home invasion, and armed robbery are documented risks. Deaths in criminal incidents require additional police investigation time. The British High Commission is the essential intermediary with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Step 6: Documentation

English is the official government language alongside Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu. Official documentation is available in English. The documentation chain:

1. Death certificate from the Civil Registration Authority.
2. Police investigation closure.
3. Post-mortem report from Port Moresby General Hospital.
4. Ministry of Health export permit.
5. Embalming to IATA standards with certificate.

Step 7: Cargo Routing

All cargo connections operate via Brisbane (Qantas) from Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby. Port Moresby to Brisbane takes around 3 hours; total transit to London Heathrow via Brisbane is typically 26 to 34 hours. There are no direct UK connections.

Cremation

Cremation is not available in Papua New Guinea. Embalmed body repatriation is the only option.

Further Information

• Repatriation from Papua New Guinea overview
• British High Commission Port Moresby — contact details