A stadium in Port Moresby has been packed out for the state funeral service of former prime minister Michael Somare, known as "the father of the nation".
The "Grand Chief" died of pancreatic cancer on February 26 aged 84, with the government declaring two weeks of mourning, ending with Friday's four-hour service at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
PNG's Post-Courier newspaper reported on Friday morning that the stadium was packed to capacity with more than 20,000 people, with one group storming the gates and overpowering marshals to force their way in.
The funeral service, to be led by Cardinal Sir John Ribat, was due to start at 1pm local time and finish at 5pm.
Then Australian PM John Howard, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare at an APEC meeting in 2007. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Sir Michael's wife, Lady Veronica, arrived at the stadium in a wheelchair with her sons, daughters and grandchildren, the Post-Courier reported.
There has been a recent surge in coronavirus cases in PNG, prompting the Somare family to urge people to stay COVID-safe and watch the service from home live on television.
"Sir Michael would have wanted us all to keep each other safe, especially during these unprecented times. Stay home if you can and follow the directions of health authorities," Sir Michael's daughter Betha said in a statement.
Sir Michael was PNG's first prime minister following the nation's independence in 1975 and had later stints in the top job, serving 17 years in that role.
He also served as foreign minister, opposition leader and governor of his home province of East Sepik before retiring from politics in 2017.
Sir Michael's body is to be flown to East Sepik for burial at Wewak.
