Quiet streets, fuel lines follow declaration of emergency in Papua New Guinea

People take part in looting and arson during protests over a pay cut for police that officials blamed on an administrative glitch, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea January 10, 2024 in this screen grab obtained from social media video. Leo Manuai/via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Soldiers and police patrolled the quiet streets of Port Moresby on Friday morning as people joined long lines for fuel a day after Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency in response to a massive outbreak of rioting and violence.

Prime Minister James Marape declared a 14-day state of emergency late on Thursday, suspending several officials and putting more than 1,000 soldiers on standby, after a police and public sector protest over pay on Wednesday descended into rioting and looting that killed at least 16 people.