THE Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea was rocked by rioting and looting on Wednesday that left 15 people dead and left its two biggest cities in flames.

The unrest came after hundreds of police officers, soldiers, prison staff and public servants walked off their jobs in protest over a pay dispute.

The Papua New Guinea government attributed the pay cut to an administrative glitch.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that at least 15 people died in the capital Port Moresby and the city of Lae.

An additional 180 defence personnel flew into Port Moresby on Thursday.

Tensions in the country have risen amid high unemployment and increased living costs.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said Port Moresby was “under stress and duress” but that violence had eased.

“Police were not at work yesterday in the city and people resorted to lawlessness in certain segments of our city,” Marape said in a news conference on Thursday.

“The situation report as of this morning shows tension in the city has subsided.”

Many shops and banking services were closed on Thursday as business owners repaired damage.