Tourists dodge Australian city because of broken jaws

An Australian city pondering why it has plunged down a list of the nation's favourite holiday destinations may have been hit with a shattering answer - it is thought to be world's capital of broken jaws.

A Northern Territory surgeon says Darwin saw more patients with broken jaws than any another place across the globe.



"Royal Darwin Hospital treats 350 broken jaws a year,putting the rate at 17 per 10,000 population , which is well above anywhere else in the world," Surgeon Mahiban Thomas said.

"The injuries are mostly sustained outside pubs and clubs in the city centre on Thursday and Friday nights. Only 12 per cent of trauma patients have not been a victim of an alcohol-related assault."