Cameron Hughes was found unresponsive in a holding room at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office hours before he was due to be deported, officials say, with a suspected heart attack cited as a contributing factor.
An Australian man has died in an immigration detention facility in Bali after overstaying his visa by more than three months. Cameron Hughes, 39, from Sydney, was pronounced dead on Friday night while being taken to hospital, having earlier been found unresponsive in a holding room at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office. He had been due to be deported within hours. Indonesian officials say a suspected heart attack was a contributing factor, while Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is supporting his family.
Held ahead of deportation
According to Indonesian immigration officials, Mr Hughes had overstayed his visa by 97 days before he was detained. He was placed in a temporary holding room at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office while staff completed the administrative procedures required ahead of his removal from the country. His death came just hours before he was scheduled to be deported.
Officers alerted by CCTV footage
Officials said the detention area was under continuous CCTV monitoring, and staff grew concerned after noticing Mr Hughes had remained motionless for an unusually long period. A spokesperson for the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said: “Officers immediately responded and found him unconscious.” According to the spokesperson, officers then checked his vital signs and administered first aid, including oxygen support, before arranging for an ambulance to attend from the nearest hospital.
Paramedics gave Mr Hughes further emergency treatment at the scene before transporting him to Bali Jimbaran General Hospital, the spokesperson said. He was pronounced dead while still en route. The spokesperson added that, according to the hospital’s preliminary assessment, a suspected heart attack had been identified as a contributing factor in his death.
Investigation under way, family offered consular support
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said it was cooperating with medical authorities as the circumstances surrounding Mr Hughes’ death continue to be examined. A formal medical assessment is expected to determine the precise cause of death.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Mr Hughes’ family, in keeping with its usual practice whenever an Australian citizen dies overseas.
