Reports from Papua New Guinea say police have opened fire on a student demonstration, killing as many as four people and wounding around 20.

The violence started when the students began marching towards parliament in the capital.

There has been a groundswell of unrest in the island nation just north of Australia.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has been resisting calls to resign since being implicated in a major corruption scandal over alleged mismanagement and suspicious international deals.

Despite a wealth of mineral resources Papua New Guinea struggles with violence and poverty.

Australia has warned that unrest has spread to other cities.

One witness said people have been fleeing the streets amid rioting and looting; public transport and many businesses have shut down.