Jakarta, IndonesiaSentinel.com — The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Beirut, Lebanon, has urged Indonesian nationals to evacuate following a series of deadly explosions.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Lebanon was rocked by multiple terror attacks involving thousands of communication devices, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
Approximately 3,000 pagers exploded en masse, killing 12 people and injuring thousands more. The following day, hundreds of walkie-talkies detonated, causing 20 more deaths and injuring hundreds.
Indonesians who refuse to be evacuated are required to sign a “Letter of Absolute Responsibility,” acknowledging that they are aware of and willing to accept the risks of staying.
Yosi Aprizal, Chargé d’Affaires at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, discussed the situation in an interview with RRI Pro 3 on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
According to Yosi, many Indonesians are declining evacuation due to their marriages with local Lebanese citizens and their belief that the situation remains manageable.
However, the Indonesian Embassy has declared a Level One Alert since August 2023, initiating the evacuation of several Indonesian nationals back to Indonesia.
“The evacuation process is ongoing and being carried out in stages,” Yosi said. So far, 25 Indonesian citizens have been successfully evacuated out of a total of 152 scattered across Beirut, Tripoli, and Aakkar.
The embassy has identified the lack of available air transport as a major challenge. Several airlines have suspended flights to and from Beirut due to the escalating situation.
Yosi warned that if the security situation worsens—particularly if Lebanon enters open conflict with Israel—evacuations could become even more difficult. He referenced the 2006 war, during which Lebanon’s airport was bombed and nearby border crossings were destroyed.
In preparation for further deterioration, the Indonesian Embassy has developed emergency evacuation plans. “One option is a sea evacuation to Cyprus,” Yosi said.
Despite the chaos, Yosi confirmed that no Indonesian nationals have been affected by the explosions. The embassy has advised Indonesians in Lebanon to avoid using communication devices like pagers and walkie-talkies, which have been deemed unsafe.
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“Everyone is fine, but we urge vigilance,” Yosi added. The embassy has also advised Indonesians to avoid unnecessary travel and to steer clear of high-risk areas.
(Ray)
