8 Rohingya Immigrants Escape From Lhokseumawe Shelter Camp, Task Force: All Women, Still Wanted

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

ACEH - The Task Force (Satgas) for Handling Rohingya Refugees in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh Province stated that eight out of 105 Rohingya immigrants fled the holding camp at the Job Training Center (BLK) Lhokseumawe City.

Spokesperson for the Task Force for Handling Rohingya Refugees in Lhokseumawe City, Marzuki, said that the eight Rohingya immigrants who fled were identified on Tuesday, January 18, at around 19.30 WIB.

"At that time, UNHCR was carrying out immigration registration, but eight of them weren't there when they were called. Then they checked and it turned out that they had fled," said Marzuki in Lhokseumawe, Antara, Wednesday, January 19.

UNHCR is the agency under the United Nations that deals with refugee issues. Marzuki said the eight Rohingya immigrants who fled were Asma (15), Kismut (12), Khaleda Bibi (22), Mosona Begum (18), Noor Safa (18), Noor Kayas (24), Samira (18), and Haresa (24).

"The eight Rohingya immigrants are all women. Until now, the joint team is still looking for and investigating the escape of the Rohingya immigrants," said Marzuki.

Previously, the 105 Rohingya immigrants were evacuated to mainland Aceh after they were adrift in the Malacca Strait using a Navy ship at the end of December 2021.

When they landed, the refugees, the majority of whom were women and children, were weak and cold, due to the rain. After getting off the ship, they immediately went through a series of health checks including a COVID-19 test.

Then, the hundreds of Rohingya immigrants were accommodated at the Lhokseumawe City Job Training Center in Meunasah Mee Kandang Village, Muara Dua District.