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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

16 Uzbek Nationals Found Stranded in Indonesia's NTT

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Sixteen Uzbek nationals were found stranded on a beach in Alor Regency, NTT, Indonesia.
  • The group claimed their motorboat experienced engine failure and drifted ashore.
  • Authorities are investigating their journey, which may have been an illicit attempt to reach Australia, and checking for immigration violations.

Sixteen men from Uzbekistan were found stranded on a beach in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on July 3, 2026. Local fishermen discovered the group and alerted authorities, who provided humanitarian aid and began an initial inspection.

The foreign nationals admitted to traveling by a motorboat that experienced engine damage, drifted, and eventually stranded in the Alor Regency area.

— Commissioner Henry Novika ChandraHead of Public Relations of the NTT Regional Police, explaining the group's account of how they became stranded.

The men, identified by initials, told officials their motorboat suffered engine damage and drifted until they landed in Alor. The Kupang Immigration Office suspects they were attempting to reach Australia through irregular channels. Authorities are also searching for an Indonesian national allegedly involved in organizing their journey.

The foreign nationals were allegedly heading to Australia through illicit channels.

— Ma'mumHead of the Kupang Immigration Office, commenting on the suspected nature of the journey.

Officials are verifying the men's identities and immigration documents, with initial findings suggesting potential permit overstays. After examination by Alor Police, the group was transported to Kupang on July 8 and officially handed over to the Class I Immigration Office TPI Kupang. The NTT Regional Police Chief praised the coordinated, professional, and humane handling of the incident, emphasizing institutional synergy for border security. The public is urged to report any sightings of foreigners or suspicious activities.

The foreign nationals departed from the ASDP Kalabahi Port to Kupang on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, escorted by Alor Police Resort personnel.

— NTT Regional PoliceDescribing the transfer of the stranded individuals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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