An Australian mother and her teenage daughter were left injured and traumatized after they were allegedly attacked by a gunman during a cruise holiday.
Leeson Hansen’s family traveled to the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea aboard the P&O Pacific Encounter last month.
But the Brisbane family’s dream vacation turned into chaos on October 21 when their boat arrived in Rabaul, a small town in northern Papua New Guinea known for its volcanoes and diving sites.
Mr. Hansen’s wife, Elizabeth, and the couple’s two teenage children joined other tourists who disembarked to explore the nearby Rabaul Page Park Market.
“A gunman jumped off the side of the market and cut my 16-year-old daughter’s backpack with a large knife, then hit her with the knife, narrowly missing her chest as she jumped back.” Mr. Hansen told the courier mail.
‘My wife turned to see what was happening and then opened her hand.
“The locals were screaming… but the guy ran out and helped my family into a small van that took them back to the ship.”
Leeson Hansen says his wife Elizabeth (pictured) and teenage daughter were attacked with a knife during a day trip to Rabaul.
Isabel needed stitches after the terrifying experience during a travel stopover.
Hansen insisted his family did everything they could to try to stay safe, staying on main roads and walking with other tourists.
Pacific Encounter staff treated and stitched Ms Hansen on board and offered counseling to the teenagers after the harrowing encounter.
The family came home five days later and Mrs. Hansen had her stitches removed last Tuesday.
Hansen spoke about the ordeal to warn other tourists that “these ports are not safe as we have been led to believe.”
“(P&O) has worked hard to follow up with trauma counseling for the children, but it really affected an expensive holiday,” he said.
The Brisbane family were holidaying aboard P&O’s Pacific Encounter at the time.
A P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson confirmed the cruise ship had assisted three passengers following an incident in Papua New Guinea.
He described the attack as an “isolated incident” and said the company has been “in regular contact with the family.”
The Royal Papua New Guinea Police are investigating the alleged attack with local police.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted P&O for further comment.
