South-east Asia correspondent injured while reporting on military operations against Isis in Marawi

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The ABC’s Indonesia correspondent, Adam Harvey, has been hit in the neck by a stray bullet in the Isis-occupied city of Marawi in the Philippines.

The injury is understood to not be life-threatening, with Harvey tweeting that he was fine despite the bullet being “still in my neck”.



Adam Harvey (@adharves) Thanks everyone - I'm okay. Bullet is still in my neck, but it missed everything important. pic.twitter.com/PBYfdrTTa6

Earlier, CNN reported that Harvey was being treated in the Amai Pakpak medical centre. A video posted to Facebook showed him receiving treatment while talking on the phone.

“It literally just looks like I’ve been hit with a cricket ball,” he said. “I’ve got to go, but I’m OK.”

The ABC said: “Indonesia correspondent Adam Harvey has been injured while on assignment in Marawi in the Philippines and is currently receiving medical treatment.”

CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) BREAKING: Australian Broadcasting Company journalist Adam Harvey hit by stray bullet on his neck inside Provincial Capitol Compound, Marawi pic.twitter.com/kjP5pUgTM4

Harvey was wounded while reporting on the continuing battle between Islamist militants and government forces, after Isis overran the city three weeks ago, on the southernmost island of Mindanao.

Adam Harvey (@adharves) Sniper on the loose. Marines go in. pic.twitter.com/W7OAsZZj3N

On Wednesday, Harvey reported the story of five construction workers in Marawi who narrowly avoided Isis fighters while fleeing the besieged city.

Two were shot in the leg during their escape. “We saw lots of bodies on the street,” one said. “I didn’t look at them because I was running.”

Nearly all 200,000 residents of Marawi have evacuated the city after the surprise Isis invasion began on 23 May. President Rodrigo Duerte has placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.



But it is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 civilians remain inside the city, with 100 civilians and 58 members of security forces confirmed killed.

Government forces have been unable to dislodge fighters led by the Maute, a local criminal group who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, despite helicopter and tank strikes over the past two weeks.



Before joining the ABC, Harvey was a reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald. He is also the brother of the Sunday Telegraph deputy editor, Claire Harvey, and the son of the late Nine Network political correspondent Peter Harvey.