Stranded immigrants To Be Evacuated to Surabaya

Sumenep, July 27 (ANTARA) - Some 58 illegal immigrants who have been stranded in Guagua Island, Raas Subdistrict, will be evacuated to Surabaya, East Java, by the Indonesian warship KRI Tongkol 813, Sumenep Police Resort chief Ajunct Senior Commissioner Dirin said. "The Indonesian Navy`s ship is currently in Guagua waters since Thursday night. The evacuation was planned to start on Friday afternoon to proceed straight to Surabaya," he said in Sumenep Friday. On Thursday morning, the immigrants who were suspected to go to Australia were found stranded in Guagua Island as their wooden boat was damaged. "Our members in Raas said the immigrants were in a good condition and ready for evacuation," he said. The 58 illegal immigrants consisted of 40 males, 15 women, and three children. "Twenty five came from Iraq and 33 from Iran. For the time being they had been given shelter at the homes of local village officials and residents," he said. Dirin said the boat`s skipper was still at large because he ran away. "The four crew members of the boat included a skipper who had gone, and three members," he said. Guagua Island is covered by Raas subdistrict east of Raas Island. In normal weather, a boat trip from Raas to Guagua islands usually takes about two hours.