ID :
40760
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 12:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/40760
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FISHING BOAT CARRYING ESCAPING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPSIZES AT SEA
Kupang, Jan 15 (ANTARA) - Some 18 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Myanmar escaped from East Nusa Tenggara Immigration detention center here and rented a fishing boat to carry them to Australia but then capsized at Pukuafu strait on Wednesday.
The fishing boat carrying them to Australia was hit by big waves at Pukuafu strait between Rote and Semau islands at 7 local time on Wednesday evening.
East Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Commissioner Octo Riwu said here on Thursday that the illegal immigrants escaped from detention center early Wednesday morning and managed to go to Australia on a fishing boat but it capsized later in the evening.
He said three of them were found drowned, nine were rescued and six others remained missing.
"Six of the illegal immigrants remain missing," Octo Riwu said, adding that two of the ill-fated boat crew members were also missing.
He said the survivors had yet to be investigated to find out why they escaped from the immigration detention center because they were still weak.
"It seems that there is a mafia behind the incident because the process since they escaped until they rented the fishing boat to sail to Australia was well-organized," Octo Riwu said.
The fishing boat carrying them to Australia was hit by big waves at Pukuafu strait between Rote and Semau islands at 7 local time on Wednesday evening.
East Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Commissioner Octo Riwu said here on Thursday that the illegal immigrants escaped from detention center early Wednesday morning and managed to go to Australia on a fishing boat but it capsized later in the evening.
He said three of them were found drowned, nine were rescued and six others remained missing.
"Six of the illegal immigrants remain missing," Octo Riwu said, adding that two of the ill-fated boat crew members were also missing.
He said the survivors had yet to be investigated to find out why they escaped from the immigration detention center because they were still weak.
"It seems that there is a mafia behind the incident because the process since they escaped until they rented the fishing boat to sail to Australia was well-organized," Octo Riwu said.
