DILI, 03 august 2023 (TATOLI)— Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão said the government strives to return the bodies of two Timorese citizens who were victims of a traffic accident in South Korea back to Timor-Leste.
The two victims were found in an accident in Daegu City, South Korea on July 29, 2029, along with one injured victim currently in the intensive care unit.
“They are citizens of Timor-Leste, I will make efforts to confirm with the Authority, to return the bodies to Timor-Leste,” Gusmão told the media after meeting with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta at the Presidential Palace. in Dili, Thursday.
Likewise, the South Korean Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Shin Mantaek also informed the efforts that would be made by the governments of the two countries to return the bodies.
“The South Korean government and the Timor Leste government will coordinate to find a solution to return the bodies after the investigation process is complete,” the Ambassador told reporters at the Becora Training Center of Professionals (CFP) in Dili.
In the same place, Secretary of State for Vocational Education and Employment, Rojerio Araujo Mendonca explained, the two bodies had been autopsied by the South Korean forensic police.
He stressed that the South Korean and Timor-Leste governments had made efforts to return the bodies but it would take a long time because the two citizens were working illegally in South Korea.
So far, the information disclosed by João Braz, Director of Consular and Community Affairs for Timor-Leste, Tuesday, that three Timorese who were found in an accident, two reportedly died before being taken to hospital while another one was seriously injured and was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.
Timor-Leste Embassy in South Korea confirmed that the dead were Florindo de Araújo de Fátima and Gracildo Soares da Silva. Both are from the municipality of Ainaro. Meanwhile, one victim was Rui Fernando da Silva from Baucau Municipality who was seriously injured.
The victim, Cracildo Soares has been working in South Korea since 2012. Meanwhile, Florindo de Araujo Fátima has been working since 2016. Another victim, Rui Fernando da Silva has been working in South Korea since 2018.
“They received help at the crash site but eventually died before being taken to the hospital. Regarding one victim who was seriously injured, he is known to be being treated in the ICU,” explained João Braz to Tatoli at the MNEK office.
João Braz was also informed that the South Korean police were cooperating with the Timor-Leste Embassy in the country, but it appeared that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
However, João Braz said that the investigation process is still ongoing and as soon as he receives the results from the experts, he will reveal all the information.
Braz said that currently the Timor-Leste Embassy in South Korea and the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment are trying to accelerate the process.
Regarding this situation, Braz appealed to all immigrants from Timor Leste to comply with the labor mobility agreement between Timor Leste and South Korea and avoid situations that could endanger their lives.
So far, the data recorded by SEFOPE is that more than 1,000 workers left the system.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
