Honiara’s Central Market was thrown into chaos on Saturday afternoon after a man almost had his left arm chopped off by an attacker.
The incident forced buyers and sellers alike to run for their lives – causing panic and chaos in this often crowded environment.
Police arrived later at the scene and arrested the attacker, who also suffered a huge blow to his head after a relative of his victim threw a dry coconut at him.
Reports suggest the victim and attacker are close relatives and the incident stemmed from an earlier argument.
The incident was widely condemned by the public, who decried a horrific attack of this nature at a public place where women and children congregate.
There were reports of women running away from their market produces. They returned later to find their produces had gone missing.
An eye-witness said the incident calls for police presence at the market on a daily basis.
“A market is supposed to be a peaceful place where mothers and children come to get their fruits and vegetables,” the eye-witness said.
“It is supposed to be the safest place in Honiara. But when incidents of this nature are allowed to happen in a market house, it calls into serious question the safety of the market.
“I would like to think that the market should have security guards or the police patrolling it daily because it is becoming a spot for criminal activities.”