Pacific

Yap repatriates Nepalese asylum seekers

09:36 am on 15 June 2016

Seven of 16 Nepalese refugees who have been stranded in the Federated States of Micronesia since their boats landed in Yap over a year and a half ago, will be repatriated at the end of the month.

November last year, the Nepalese and 18 Indians were detained in Yap after they were found in Yap waters with no travel documents and in near starving condition.

Kaselelhie Press reported the asylum seekers were not aiming for Yap but their final destination was not clear.

Members of the community provided food to the refugees who had been in custody at the port in Colonia almost since they arrived.

Clayton Lawrence, of the Department of Justice in FSM said the refugees would leave Yap on June 25.