Search and Rescue Efforts in Meulaboh Save Rohingya Refugees
In Meulaboh, Indonesia, a search and rescue mission has successfully located a wooden boat overturned at sea, carrying numerous Rohingya Muslim refugees.
As reported by an AP photographer aboard, survivors who were standing on the boat's hull are being rescued, with some already taken aboard nearby fishing vessels and others being saved by the Indonesian rescue ship.
Frail men, women, and children, drenched from overnight rain, cried out as the rescue efforts commenced. They were aided onto a rubber dinghy before being transferred to the rescue boat.
BREAKING: A wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim migrants capsizes off Indonesia’s Aceh province https://t.co/UjQsX1XKYS
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 20, 2024
Souce: Twitter/The Associated Press
Conflicting Reports on Casualties Emerge
Reports regarding casualties from the incident have sparked confusion. While survivors claim many individuals remain missing since the boat's departure from Bangladesh, authorities assert that all have been successfully rescued.
Assurance from the Rescue Officer: Fathur, a rescue officer, provided reassurance, stating that all 69 Rohingya individuals rescued showed no signs of fatalities. He confirmed the safe evacuation of all individuals.
Total Number of Rescued Rohingya: With additional rescues by private fishing boats, the total number of individuals saved from the boat reached 75.
Concerns Over Missing Persons: Despite the rescues, concerns linger over the missing. Samira, a 17-year-old refugee, revealed that the boat originally carried 146 individuals, suggesting 71 may still be unaccounted for at sea.
Details of the Ordeal
Survivors recounted the boat's troubles, indicating it began experiencing problems three days prior and capsized on Wednesday. Concerns mount for missing loved ones, including Samira's nephew.
Chaos Amid Rescue Attempts
Desperate refugees rushed onto fishing boats that arrived on Wednesday, causing further chaos as one boat also capsized due to overcrowding.
Delayed Rescue Efforts
Formal rescue efforts were initiated only after reports from fishermen on Wednesday morning, with the search and rescue team from Banda Aceh city arriving at the accident site early Thursday morning.
Rescue Operation Success
Upon encountering the overturned boat, the rescue team found refugees in urgent need of assistance. They successfully rescued 42 men, 18 women, and nine children, providing medical care and temporary shelter.
Insight from Local Leader
Amiruddin, a tribal fishing community leader, shed light on the circumstances, indicating the boat began leaking while sailing eastward before strong currents pushed it westward towards Aceh.
FAQ Section
Who are the Rohingya Muslims?
The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic community, have endured prolonged persecution in their native land of Myanmar, resulting in widespread displacement.
What happened to the capsized boat?
The wooden vessel transporting Rohingya refugees overturned near the northern shores of Indonesia. Survivors were discovered standing on the hull of the boat by an Indonesian search and rescue vessel.
How many Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh?
Since the military crackdown in Myanmar, around 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have relocated to Bangladesh.
How is Indonesia responding to the arrival of Rohingya refugees?
While not officially part of the UN Refugee Convention, Indonesia has offered temporary shelter to the refugees. The nation has appealed to the international community for support as it grapples with a surge in refugee arrivals.
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