Indonesian Citizen Victim Of The Shipwrecked In Australia Turns Out Not To Be Vaccinated For COVID-19

Two fishermen from Rote at the Australian Naval Base in Darwin. (Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Darwin)

DARWIN - An Indonesian citizen (WNI) from East Nusa Tenggara who became a victim of a sinking ship has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine. Both of them underwent the first dose of vaccination after being declared cured of COVID-19 in Darwin City, Australia.

"The two fishermen are Abel Kanuk and Melki Giri. Yesterday both of them just finished being vaccinated for the first dose given by the Australian government," said Yulius Mada Kaka, Acting Consular Officer of the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Darwin, when contacted by ANTARA from Kupang, Wednesday.

This was conveyed by him when he was asked about the development of the condition and health of three fishermen from Rote Ndao Regency, who on March 19 had a motorboat accident and drowned in the waters of Pulau Pasir, Timor Sea.

They were found by a patrol helicopter from the local authority floating in the middle of the sea and surviving by holding on to the wreckage of the ship.

Yulius said that the two were now living in one room and had been placed in a hotel and were being looked after by the Australian Government before being deported to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Yulius added that Abel and Melki's colleague, Riki, who was being treated in Perth because he had been unconscious for several days, is now in good health.

"If Riki is waiting for the second dose of vaccine, because previously he had received the first dose of vaccine in Rote," he added.

Yulius also appreciated the Australian government and the Australian border authorities for giving intensive attention to the three Indonesian citizens. "Be it hotels, eating and drinking clothes, everything is covered by the 'Australian Border Force'," he said.

Now the three of them are still waiting for their return to Indonesia, which is likely to be carried out next week.