16 Uzbek Nationals Stranded on Alor Beach, Suspected Victims of Human Trafficking

A total of 16 Uzbek nationals were stranded on the coast of Kampung Air Panas beach, Bandar Village, Pantar Subdistrict, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). They are suspected to be victims of human trafficking (TPPO) as they did not know one another.

All of the Uzbek nationals are male, with the initials SG, SS, SI, OT, MI, ZR, TS, NN, DN, FM, SK, IK, AY, IN, TB and IA, aged between 22 and 47. They were discovered by local residents as they made their way along the coast of Kampung Air Panas beach towards the residential area.

They had been stranded there because the boat they were travelling on suffered engine damage.

“The discovery was then reported to the Pantar Sector Police and local military personnel,” said Saroha Manullang, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration for NTT, speaking at the Class I Immigration Office for TPI Kupang, as reported by detikBali on Friday (10/7/2026).

Following the report, the 16 Uzbek nationals were taken to Kalabahi City in Alor by fishing boat at around 09:00 Central Indonesia Time. Their transfer from the coast of Kampung Air Panas beach to Kalabahi City was escorted by the Pantar Sector Police.

Preliminary examination results also revealed that the foreign tourists had paid US$8,000, or more than Rp 140 million, to cover the cost of the journey. The money was given to an individual who is currently being pursued by officers.