Transporting Ships Of 30 Illegal PMIs Had An Accident In Batam, 30 People Become Victims

Head of the Technical Implementation Unit of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (UPT BP2MI) West Nusa Tenggara Abri Danar Prabawa/Photo: Antara

MATARAM - The ship carrying 30 illegal Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), mostly from West Nusa Tenggara with the destination of Malaysia, had an accident in the sea waters of Putri Island, Batam, Riau Islands, Thursday, June 16, at around 19.30 western Indonesia time.

Head of the Technical Implementation Unit of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (UPT BP2MI) West Nusa Tenggara, Abri Danar Prabawa, who was contacted in Mataram, Friday, June 17, confirmed the accident on the ship carrying the illegal PMI, in which most of the residents of West Nusa Tenggara.

"We got information from BP2MI Riau Islands," he said, quoted by Antara.

He said 23 of the 30 passengers on the ship who were victims had been rescued, while the remaining seven people were still being searched.

All PMI rescued came from NTB. They are already at the Batam Navy Base Command Headquarters.

"For the seven victims who have not been found, the SAR is still conducting a search at the scene," he said.

His party is also still coordinating with BP2MI Riau Islands and Batam Air Base for the repatriation process of the victims who survived the incident.

"Currently, they (the victims, ed.) are safe, they are still recovering after the accident and will continue the investigation process regarding their departure," said Abri Danar.