MERANTI – ASWINNEWS.COM – As many as 20 Foreign Nationals (WNA) from Bangladesh along with two skippers and a captain were found stranded in the waters of Kuala Merbau Village, Pulau Merbau District, Tuesday (4/2/2025).
Meranti Islands Police Chief, AKBP Kurnia Setyawan, through Head of Criminal Investigation Unit Iptu Yohn Mabel, confirmed this incident. “As many as 20 foreign nationals and two skippers have been secured. The foreigner handling team has moved to the location,” he said.
These foreign nationals entered Indonesia via Jakarta and Bali Airports, then gathered in Pekanbaru before trying to cross to Malaysia via the waters of Kedabu Rapat Village. They are suspected of being transported by two local skippers with the initials MP and SY.
The incident occurred when the ship that picked them up in Buton sank and ran aground in Kuala Merbau at around 04.00 WIB. All passengers survived and were assisted by local residents.
The Immigration Team picked them up and took them to Selatpanjang for further data collection and examination. The foreigners are now being held at the Class IIB Selatpanjang Prison while awaiting the legal process according to the rules.
Writer: Rudi
Editor: Ardes
