More than 150 Rohingya refugees rescued off Indonesia: UN

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Oct 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - More than 150 Rohingya refugees including women and children have been rescued off the coast of Indonesia after their boat languished at sea for days, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday.

The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and dangerous sea journeys to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

The boat carrying 152 people was anchored a mile (1.6 kilometres) off the coast of South Aceh district for days while officials decided whether to let them land, but they were finally brought ashore on Thursday afternoon.

"UNHCR would like to thank the authorities and local communities for the humanitarian spirit and life-saving efforts as well as the landing permits given to around 152 refugees," UNHCR's Faisal Rahman told AFP on Friday.

"Many of those on the boat were vulnerable women and children, victims of human trafficking," he said, adding that UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies were now assisting the refugees.