DILI, 10 october 2025 (TATOLI) – A Timorese worker has gone missing after falling into the sea while working off the coast of South Korea.
His South Korean colleague, who was also swept overboard, was later found dead by maritime authorities.
According to Marco da Silva, a Timorese worker in South Korea, the incident occurred in the morning while they were working at sea.
As the crew tried to lift a crate onto the deck, a rope became entangled and struck two workers with force, knocking them overboard into rough waters.
“There were three of us on the boat—two Timorese and one South Korean,” Da Silva told Tatoli. “After the accident, the South Korean worker was recovered lifeless and taken to the hospital. Maritime safety authorities and the police are conducting a joint search, but they have not yet found the body of the Timorese worker.”
He added that although the Timorese workers live on the same island, they are employed by different companies. “We’ve already informed our labor attaché,” Da Silva said.
The National Director for Overseas Employment at the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment, João Correia Pereira, confirmed that the government has received reports of the incident.
“We do not yet have detailed information from our Ambassador in South Korea, but once we do, we will take the necessary measures,” Pereira stated.
Jounalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
