Eight people, including a baby, were rescued after sea pirates attacked a passenger boat near Maus Busu along the Lae coast on Tuesday morning.

The group was travelling from Voco Point to Siassi Island when armed men ambushed them between 8am and 9am. The attackers fired shots and used bush knives to stop the boat, injuring the skipper.

Lae Metropolitan Commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban described the attack was a cruel act.

“These were ordinary people trying to travel safely. The suspects had no respect for life,” he said. “Police will hunt them down and bring them to justice.”

The passengers included Salu Trading workers and a police officer’s wife with her baby. The pirates stole K20,000 in cash and assaulted three men before escaping. Witnesses said the attackers later rammed the boat, which sank and left passengers floating in the sea until Water Police arrived to rescue them.

Later that night, police caught a suspect believed to be from Korogu and living at Bumbu Settlement. He was shot in the leg while trying to escape and taken to Angau Hospital.

Police investigations continue.