Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska,  Agency: Newsflash

An Indonesian cop who was declared dead after the 2004 tsunami has been found alive after apparently having a mental breakdown in the midst of the tragedy and ending up in a psychiatric hospital for the past 16 years.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami struck on Boxing Day and around 230,000 people lost their lives, making it one of the biggest natural disasters ever.

Despite suffering mental health issues after the disaster, former police officer Abrip Asep who has now been found and reunited with his family is said to be in good health, according to local media.

His family said he was on duty when the tsunami and earthquake hit Indonesia’s westernmost province of Aceh on 26th December.

One relative, name not disclosed, said they only realised Asep was still alive recently after photos were shared on a social media family chat group.

They said: “I couldn’t believe it, 17 years of no news and we thought that he passed away, we didn’t know he was still alive.”

The local police also confirmed that the man found in the psychiatric hospital was Abrip, reported as missing during the tsunami and later declared dead.

A spokesperson for the Aceh Regional Police said: “Even though he is experiencing mental illness due to the tsunami, his family is very grateful to have found him alive.”

It is unclear why his family were not notified he was in the psychiatric hospital.

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