UNHCR saddened by loss of life in Indonesia detention centre incident

The UN refugee agency is saddened by reports of fatalities and injuries following a disturbance early this morning at a detention centre in Medan, in Indonesia's Northern Sumatra.

According to local authorities, eight people have died and 15 are injured after fighting broke out between asylum seekers and others from Myanmar in the detention centre. UNHCR is calling for calm among the groups and urging the Indonesian authorities to take action to prevent further violence, including moving individuals into community housing as soon as possible.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

• In Bangkok, Vivian Tan on mobile: +66 818 270 280
• In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile: +41 79 557 9106