The road connecting Timika and Tembagapura is now deserted. In daytime only one or vehicles pass, while at night all is quiet. This is very different from what it used to be.

The route has become as good as dead since a caravan of cars of Freeport employees was ambushed by an unidentified group of men toward the end of August. Three people died on the spot, including Ted Burcon and Rickey Spear, both American citizens who taught at the Timik