Two of Four Indonesians Who Died in Turkey Quake Will be Repatriated

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government will repatriate two of the four Indonesian citizens who died in the recent catastrophic earthquake in Turkey. Their bodies will be buried in Indonesia.

“As of now, four Indonesian citizens have died in the earthquake. Two of whom have already been buried in Turkey,” said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in Jakarta.

“The other two will be buried in Indonesia as requested by their family,” Retno added.

The minister said that the remains will be transported by the flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, the same flight that carrying humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria on Tuesday.

The aircraft will also bring home 85 Indonesian nationals who are affected by the devastating quake.

Also read: Turkey Quake: 14 Indonesian Rescuers Deployed to Find Victims

“The 85 Indonesians living in Turkey wanted to return home,” she added.

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy and Disaster Mitigation Agency chief Suharyanto will accompany the team of Indonesian humanitarian aid for Turkey and Syria.

The two leaders will meet the authorities of the two countries. "They will conduct a meeting and assess what other assistances are currently needed,” said Retno.

The send-off ceremony of 140 tons of food and logistics aid for the quake victims in Turkey and Syria was attended by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Tuesday.