PMI From Ponorogo Dies While Protecting Employers In Fire In Hong Kong

PONOROGO - An Indonesian migrant worker (PMI) from Ponorogo Regency, East Java, Dina Martiana (36), died in a fire in Wang Fuk Court's apartment in Hong Kong.

This certainty was received by the family in Tajug Village, Siman District, on Saturday, November 29 after local authorities confirmed the identity of the body.

"Last night the village head told me. The victim was Mbak Dina, the daughter of Pak Samud," said Tajug Village Apparatus, Tohirin, when met at the funeral home, Antara, Sunday, November 30.

Tohirin said that the family had actually been aware of the news that there had been victims of Indonesian citizens since the beginning of the incident, but had not dared to confirm without official information from the Hong Kong authorities.

Dina's body will be buried in the Sukun public cemetery, Tajug Village, after the repatriation process to Indonesia is complete. The family is preparing to wait for the arrival of the bodies which are expected to arrive on Wednesday.

The victim's sister, Riko Andi, said that the family's suspicions arose after hearing the apartment where her brother worked caught fire. The attempt to contact Dina was fruitless because the phone was not connected.

"Just got the exact news Saturday afternoon, after the officers confirmed it through his brother's documents and belongings," said Riko.

He recalled the last conversation with Dina on Tuesday as a regular chat without a bad feeling. What made the family even more devastated, said Riko, was information that said Dina died while trying to protect her employer.

"He said he was stuck in the room. He couldn't get down because of the smoke from below, so he could only survive," he said.

Dina has worked for four years in Hong Kong and is the backbone of the family.

He was the first of four children and left a husband and a child who is now in grade IX of junior high school.

"This is the second year of work contracts. The first contract expires, then then extends it again with the same employer," said Riko.