The task force's spokesman, Marzuki, stated here on Wednesday that the authority only realized that the refugees had fled when officials from the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) came to conduct registration.
"At the time, UNHCR officials came for the migrant registration, but the eight (Rohingya refugees) were not present when they were called. It turned out that they had fled from the shelter," Marzuki remarked.
The eight refugees are Asma (15), Kismut (12), Khaleda Bibi (22), Mosona Begum (18), Noor Safa (18), Noor Kayas (24), Samira (18), and Haresa (24).
"All of them are female. Until now, the joint team is still tracking them down and investigating the incident," he stated.
Related news: Navy ship tows boat carrying Rohingya refugees to Aceh port
In December 2021, some 105 Rohingya migrants, comprising eight men, 50 women, and 47 children, were evacuated to Aceh after being adrift for five days due to a broken engine, some 53 nautical miles off the Aceh coast.
The vessel was towed by an Indonesian navy ship to shore.
The refugees were feeling chilly and were in a weak condition when they were evacuated.
Given the pandemic situation, all refugees underwent health screening for the subsequent data collection phase as well as health protocols.
Related news: IOM asked to shift 54 Rohingya refugees to Medan
Translator: M.Haris Setiady, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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