Three Australians sent home

DILI, East Timor: Three Australians -- Erik Powel and two others identified only as Given and Judith -- stranded on the Dili waters after their boats developed engine trouble, left for Darwin Saturday morning.

The three, along with an Indonesian man, headed for Darwin from Benoa, Denpasar, on Dec. 4. They had been stranded for several days before they decided to call at Dili port for engine repairs.

Immigration chief Syarief Hidayat confirmed that the authorities had to deport the Australians because they did not have any permits to enter East Timor.

Many Australians traveled to Bali on motor boats, he added. (33)