This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
Wamena, Indonesia, September 23, 2019
Violent protests in Indonesia's Papua region have left at least 20 people dead and dozens more injured, with some victims burned to death in buildings set ablaze by protesters, authorities said.
"Most of them died in a fire," said Papua military spokesman Eko Daryanto, adding that many were trapped in burning kiosks.
The unrest erupted in Wamena city, where hundreds demonstrated and burned down a government office and other buildings, authorities said.
Among the victims, 13 were non-Papuans and three were Papuans, Daryanto said, adding that a soldier and three civilians also died in provincial capital Jayapura, where security forces and stone-throwing protesters clashed.
The clashes in Papua had quietened down in recent days, but flared up again as hundreds took to the streets, and houses and stores went up in flames.
Monday's protests in Wamena were reportedly sparked by racist comments made by a teacher, but police have disputed that account as a "hoax".
