Indonesian fishermen rescue dozens of Rohingya refugees in Aceh waters

TheJakartaPost
News Desk
The Jakarta Post
Wed, June 24, 2020

An International Organization for Migration (IOM) official (front right) listens to complaints from Rohingya refugees in a temporary shelter in Cot Gapu in Bireuen regency, Aceh, on April 21, 2018. (Antara/Rahmad)

Three Indonesian fishermen rescued 94 foreign nationals who are believed to be Rohingya refugees in the waters of North Aceh regency on Wednesday morning.

The fishermen – Faisal, 40, Abdul Azis, 40, and Raja, 30 – rescued the foreign nationals from a sinking cargo ship using their fishing boat, the KM 2017.811.

They attempted to transport the group to Kuala Tanah Jambo Aye in Seunuddon district, North Aceh, but their engine was broken, leaving them stranded 4 miles from the coast of Seunuddon.


Read also: Aceh on alert for Rohingya refugee boats spotted in Andaman Sea

“The fishermen reported their findings to [traditional fishing community] Panglima Laot, which then passed it on to the district police and the subdistrict military command. We are now coordinating with the immigration office and the North Aceh administration,” Seunuddon Police chief First Insp. M. Jamil said on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

A joint force of police and military personnel reportedly arrived to the scene of the stranded vessel to check on the condition of the passengers. Tri said the boat was still in the open sea and the joint force was coordinating with various parties over a rescue mission. (aly)

Editor's note: This article has been updated for clarity. The number of the foreign nationals is 94, not 114 as previously stated. 

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