ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Hundreds of holidaymakers trapped on Hamilton Island by the recent storm activity have seen their fragile society collapse as they splinter off into tribes and war over the resort’s limited resources.
It’s reminiscent of a game of Survivor, says one resort guest, except there’s firearms and other forms of crude weaponry and the death toll is already beginning to rise.
On the condition of anonymity, the resort guest explained that shortly before the last flight off the island, a panic broke out that saw the aircraft leave almost half empty.
“There’s two main tribes of people on Hamilton now. There’s for Ford tribe and the Holden tribe. Ford has taken One Tree Hill and occupies the north side of the island and much of the village. There’s room to room fighting going on in the town and for control of the airport. Holden, I think, as the resorts to the east. They suffered heavy casualties trying to take the town last night. There’s hundreds of bodies floating in the marina. They need to send in the army or something quick.”
The guest refused to say where they got the satellite phone they were using to speak to our reporter, or where they uncovered a cache of automatic weapons.
“We are held up on Dent Island, we took the golf club house with almost no resistance. There were no survivors. At the moment, we’ve built our defences there and are holding out until we get help.”
It’s understood by The Advocate that a flotilla of Holden tribespeople made their way over to nearby Hayman Island. There are reports of some resistance there but Holden is laying claim to it and the RDT cans in every fridge.
The Advocate spoke briefly to Defence Minister Richard Marles, who confirmed has has been authorised to use the full firepower of the ADF to bring the situation under control.
More to come.
