IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – The Indonesian Navy on Thursday evening successfully evacuated a boat with Rohingya Muslim refugees that was adrift for five days due to a broken engine 53 nautical miles off the Aceh coast. The boat is currently at the ASEAN port in Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
Navy spokesperson First Adm. Julius Widjojono on Friday said the boat had 105 people onboard “consisting of eight men, 50 women, and 47 children.”
The refugee boat was tagged by Navy’s KRI Parang-547 on Thursday morning under clear skies and calm waters.
“They will be then handed over to the UNHCR for transfer processes, quarantine, and other health checks,” said Julius.
Following news about a refugee boat experiencing technical troubles on December 26, which includes an alleged leaking fuselage, the Indonesian government through the international refugee task force under the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs decided to bring the refugees to land due to the emergency situation surrounding the refugees.
Read: Indonesia to Welcome Rohingya Refugees Adrift off Coast of Aceh
EGI ADYATAMA
