September 9, 2025 | 02:30 pm
TEMPO.COM, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding the passing of Muhammad Athaya Helmi Nasution, a student at Hanze University in Groningen, the Netherlands, who died in Vienna, Austria, on August 27, 2025.
Athaya, a member of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in Groningen, Netherlands, was accompanying Indonesian officials during a series of meetings with Austrian authorities at the time.
In a statement received by Tempo through the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague on Tuesday, September 9, Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that Athaya’s body was repatriated to Indonesia on September 4 at the request of his family.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveys condolences on the passing of an Indonesian student, Muhammad Athaya Helmi Nasution, in Vienna, Austria, on August 27, 2025," the statement read.
Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna had coordinated with local authorities and obtained autopsy results indicating that Athaya likely died from a seizure. The Embassy also assisted with document processing, burial arrangements in coordination with the Indonesian Islamic Community in Vienna, and communication with the family.
"The deceased was on duty accompanying the Indonesian delegation during meetings with Austrian authorities," the statement added. The Ministry emphasized that all student assignments during the visit were managed by the Indonesian organizers.
PPI Netherlands Reacts
The Indonesian Student Association in the Netherlands released its own statement a day earlier, expressing grief over Athaya’s death. "We deeply mourn the passing of one of our members, Muhammad Athaya Helmi Nasution," the statement read.
Athaya, who would have turned 19 in October, accompanied a closed visit involving public officials from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Financial Services Authority (OJK), and Bank Indonesia from August 25–27, 2025, in Vienna.
Forensic autopsy results suggested that Athaya’s death may have been triggered by heatstroke, dehydration, and inadequate nutrition, which led to electrolyte imbalances and hypoglycemia, culminating in a stroke after he had been active from morning until night.
PPI Netherlands criticized the event organizers for a lack of accountability. According to the student association, when Athaya passed away on August 27, there were no apologies or transparent communication from the organizers or liaison officers to the family, who had traveled to Vienna to handle the arrangements.
"Instead of visiting the lodging where the deceased took his last breath, the official visit continued, with the organizers preparing a dinner for public officials," the statement said.
The association also claimed that neither the organizers, liaison officers, nor attending officials made efforts to meet with the family. PPI further alleged that information regarding Athaya’s activities in Vienna was withheld.
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