Where there is a will, there is a way. That’s what the Algerian man named Haminoumna Abdul Rahman thought when he decided to swim to Australia after his East Timorese visa expired and he was left with no money. The 31-year-old Algerian man had been residing in East Timor’s capital, Dili since December 2019 on a tourist visa. But when his visa expired he decided to go all the way, swimming. But going with the flow might not have been the right choice, as he literally went with the current and ended up in Indonesia. Maybe where there is a will, there might be no way.
What’s In It?
Abdul Rahman did not take into consideration the 570 km swim and the unpredictable currents. He was found in seas of Kletek, East Nusa Tenggara Province in Indonesia on January 11th. Fishermen rescued him and brought him to the shore. He was extremely weak and nearly died, so he was rushed to the local hospital.
When Abdul Rahman recovered he was taken to the immigration office in Atambua for questioning. He couldn’t start a new life in Indonesia too as he was out of funds. Reports suggest that thousands of migrants like Abdul Rahman take desperate measures and even risk their lives to reach Australia. The continent witnesses migrants from countries like Iran, Yemen and Afghanistan, and Indonesia is a transit spot for them in their journey. Some of them get on risky boat rides to reach Australia and the others get stuck in Indonesia for years.
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What’s More?
Research by Antje Missbach from the Department of Anthropology at Monash University in Melbourne states that transactional people smuggling has turned into a growing market in Indonesia. It further reveals that between 2009 and mid-2013 more than 50,000 asylum seekers made their way to Australia by boat with the help of Indonesian transporters.
A reputed global news agency also states that increased demands of asylum seekers and refugees to reach Australia over the last ten years, has lead to people-smuggling. The report has further revealed that it’s extremely tough to nab the kingpin behind these heinous operations and the complex network facilitates them to carry out these easily. Well, we hope the Algerian man is able to get his visa and reach his desired destination healthily. Did you know According To Research There’ A Scientific Reason Why We Love To Travel?