No Australians have been reported caught up in the violence and unrest gripping PNG as the High Commission works to account for citizens.

PNG’s defence force has been called in to restore order as rioting and looting tears through the capital Port Moresby after a peaceful demonstration outside parliament over a payroll issue for public servants deteriorated.

Almost 200 additional police officers are being flown into the capital to help restore law and order and at least 15 people have died across the capital and the second-largest city of Lae, according to the ABC, who has journalists on the ground.

AAP has contacted PNG authorities for confirmation.

Tensions had subsided after more police were flown into Port Moresby, PNG Prime Minister James Marape told reporters on Thursday.

“Police were not at work yesterday in the city and people resorted to lawlessness, not all people, but in certain segments of our city,” he said.

No calls for assistance have been sent to Australia but the government maintained a good relationship with PNG, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday as he called for calm.

“It’s not perfect advice and not every Australian is on a register in PNG … but at this stage, we have not been made aware of … any Australians being caught up in the conflict,” he told reporters in Victoria.

“Our high commission in Port Moresby are keeping a very close eye on what is occurring there, making sure that Australians are looked after.

“We continue to urge calm at this difficult time.”

Members of the police force had returned to work and were enforcing the law with assistance from the defence force, the United States embassy in Port Moresby said in a statement.

“However, tensions remain high – the relative calm can change at a moment’s notice,” the statement said, warning its government personnel against non-essential travel.

“Many local businesses are damaged, including fuel stations and grocery stores, and may not be operating.

“For the businesses that are open, there could be large, unpredictable crowds with tense and unsettled atmosphere.”

The Chinese embassy also warned its citizens to step up safety precautions amid the unrest.

No deaths of citizens had been reported but some were slightly injured, the embassy said in a statement.

Australians in Port Moresby have been told to monitor local media, avoid trouble spots and pay close attention to their personal security.

The Australian High Commission has heightened security measures and staffing levels have been reduced due to the situation.

with Reuters