Catatonic refugee evacuated from Manus Island

12:45 pm on 14 November 2018

A refugee who has refused food for almost two weeks has been evacuated from Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

The catatonic refugee in Lorengau hospital.

The catatonic refugee in Lorengau hospital. Photo: Supplied

The Iraqi refugee has not eaten for 12 days and has also been refusing fluids.

The Kurdish refugee Benham Satah confirmed the man had been transferred from the island's hospital where he was catatonic and being hydrated.

It's thought he was moved to Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby where Mr Satah said at least four other suicidal refugees are being kept.

The evacuation on Tuesday morning came after 35 refugees in the capital for medical treatment were moved back to Manus.

The police in PNG said the men were moved as part of security preparations for the APEC Leaders' Summit in Port Moresby this week.

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