TORIKA TOKALAU/Things
A local man attacked and stabbed a Japanese soldier Monday during a memorial service for the battle in Guadalcanal.
A memorial service of the Guadalcanal Battle in the Solomon Islands took a turn for the worse when a local man attacked and stabbed a member of the Japanese military on Monday.
The service at Bloody Ridge, a 30-minute drive from the city center, was organized by the Solomon Islands Department of Tourism.
Guests included US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, New Zealand Secretary of Defense Peeni Henare, Japanese Defense Secretary Makoto Oniki and Solomon Islands Tourism Minister Bartholomew Parapolo, all in the front.
The attack took place next to Peeni Henare, who was sitting at the end of the front row.
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stuff reporter Torika Tokalau, who was standing right next to where the attack took place, said the man knocked the Japanese soldier to the ground.
Nearby military personnel and locals immediately intervened to stop the attack.
The incident happened just before the Last Post and the laying of wreaths.
The injured person was immediately treated in an ambulance by first aiders from the US Army.
TORIKA TOKALAU/Things
Japanese Defense Minister Makoto Oniki lays a wreath minutes after one of his soldiers was attacked and stabbed by a local.
A Japanese official confirmed the man had a stab wound to the right side of his neck: “He’s okay, there’s a little blood, but he’s okay,” he said.
Village chief Wesley Ramo said small scissors were used in the attack.
“We are very sad that this has happened and we want to apologize to everyone,” Ramo said.
After the attack – while trying to calm people down – Solomon Islands tourism marketing manager Fiona Teama heard an apology from the dignitaries.
After the incident there was a break of about 10 minutes.
Sherman’s security and other personnel advised her about the attack before a Japanese official came to inform her that the situation was under control before the memorial continued.
Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary of Tourism Bunyan Sivaro said after the event: “My sincere apologies for the unexpected and disappointing event.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has brought the situation under control.
“The government will take care of this and make sure that situations like this don’t happen again.”