Pekanbaru. Nine undocumented Indonesian migrant workers who survived a speedboat capsizing off Rupat Island, Riau, on Aug. 14 have been handed over to the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Service Center (BP3MI) in Pekanbaru, officials said.

The accident left two people dead and one missing.

The nine Indonesians had been attempting to reach Malaysia for work along with nine other undocumented migrant workers and several crew members whose exact number and nationalities remain unclear. Their journey was disrupted when their speedboat capsized in waters off Rupat.

Riau BP3MI Head Harold Hamonangan said the nine workers were handed over to the agency by the Dumai Water Police.

“They come from West Nusa Tenggara, Lampung, Jambi, Aceh, East Java, and West Java,” Harold said on Tuesday.

He said the undocumented workers had departed for Malaysia aboard two boats. After one of the speedboats capsized, some of those on board were rescued by the KM Sinako, a passing vessel, while others transferred to the second boat.

“Twelve people were rescued and brought to Dumai Port, including nine Indonesian citizens and three foreign nationals. We are still examining the three foreigners in Dumai,” Harold said, without elaborating on their nationalities.

Two passengers were found dead following the accident, while another remains missing.

Six other undocumented Indonesian migrant workers were picked up by a boat allegedly operated by those arranging the illegal journey and are believed to have continued toward Malaysia.

Authorities have yet to locate the six workers or the boat carrying them.

“Two people who had been missing were found dead -- one from Aceh and another from West Nusa Tenggara. One other person remains missing, and their identity is still unknown,” Harold said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +