Asylum-seekers on the run after 30 tunnelled free

NINETEEN asylum-seekers were still at large yesterday after 30 tunnelled their way out of a detention centre in Indonesia.

NINETEEN asylum-seekers, including survivors of last month's boat tragedy, were still at large yesterday after 30 tunnelled their way out of a detention centre in Indonesia on Monday.

Of those still on the run, 18 are described as Afghans and one as Pakistani and it is likely at least some have made their way to Jakarta, seeking passage on another boat to Australia.

About 90 asylum-seekers were being held at the Surabaya Immigration Detention Centre, but police asserted that the escapees were from a group of 47 passengers who survived the December 17 sinking off East Java that cost about 200 lives.

Marsudi, head of the Justice and Human Rights Ministry's East Java office, said some of the escapees had been arrested.

The breakout was detected on Monday night after police detained a stranger of Middle Eastern appearance walking in a street nearby and returned him to the centre, where 29 others were found to be missing.

Another 10 escapees were recaptured that night but immigration officials hushed up the escape until late Tuesday.

A smaller group of survivors was reported to have escaped about three weeks ago.

"These people want to be free; they are ready to die," Mr Marsudi said. "If they are willing to sail the dangerous sea, they don't have problem just trying to escape."

The Hazara and Iranian survivors of the December 17 sinking are being held in custody awaiting processing for refugee status by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Mr Marsudi said the group caused constant difficulties for guards and other staff at the Surabaya detention centre.

"They burn mattresses, they harass the staff," he said.