Commander of the Silas Papare Military Air Base, First Marshal TNI Tri Bowo Budi Santoso stated in Sentani, Jayapura District, on Wednesday that the two aircraft deployed were Hercules and CN235 belonging to the Air Force.
"Since this morning, a one-time flight took off to Wamena, Jayawijaya District, in Papua. Earlier this morning, it had flown to Wamena and transported four injured people and 10 companions," Santoso revealed.
Related news: Thousands seek refuge at Jayawijaya Police Headquarter after riots
"We prioritize the evacuation of the sick, injured, and dead victims, as well as those looking to move away from Wamena owing to the unconducive security condition," he added.
Santoso further revealed that the government will provide additional aircraft if the need arises to help evacuate and distribute aid for victims in Wamena.
"We will bring in a Hercules aircraft aid fleet from Makassar, with the hopes of expediting the process of evacuation and distribution of aid," he stated.
He further explained that the readied aircraft will be utilized for the distribution of food aid for refugees and also for the evacuation of over a thousand residents already queued up to move from Wamena to Jayapura.
"We urge the people in Wamena to remain patient during this evacuation process since we are trying our best to help," Santoso emphasized.
Based on information gathered on the field, some 4,500 refugees in Wamena are yet accommodated at the Jayawijaya Resort Police Headquarter and Military District Commander after riots erupted due to anarchic actions by some local junior and senior high school students.
Related news: Police puts Wamena riot death toll at 23
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Alfian Rumagit, Yuni Arisandy
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
