Indonesia rescues 69 Rohingya refugees after boat capsizes

By Anadolu staff

Indonesian authorities said Thursday that 69 Rohingya refugees were rescued one day after a boat capsized, according to state-run media.

The Banda Aceh Search and Rescue (SAR) Office said a rescue team found 42 men, 18 women and nine children in the Meulaboh waters, according to the Antara News Agency.

"The victims were found floating in the waters of the sea about 21 miles (33 kilometers) from the Jetty Ujong Karang Harbor, Meulaboh, on Thursday morning," the agency quoted Al Hussain, who is the head of the rescue agency.

The navy and Banda Aceh Air and Water Police (Polairud) assisted rescue teams in the evacuation process, it said.

"Currently, the team is still being deployed in the field. We will convey further information soon," Hussain said in responding to a question about casualties.

Authorities said earlier that 100 Rohingya refugees were onboard when the ship sank Wednesday in the waters of the Samatiga Sub-district, West Aceh Regency.

Antara News said six refugees were also rescued by fishermen Wednesday.

The Rohingya mostly embark on dangerous journeys between November and April via boats to Thailand, Bangladesh or further to Indonesia and Malaysia when the seas are calmer.

More than 1,500 Rohingya entered Aceh province between mid-November and mid-December 2023, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said in a report in December.

"Rohingya refugees have reported that despite the considerable risks associated with this sea route, they undertake these dangerous boat journeys due to the challenges of living in protracted displacement, the limited prospects for solutions, and the current situation in Myanmar," it said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid