An Indonesian search and rescue ship located a capsized wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees on Thursday. The boat had overturned off Indonesia's northern coast, and survivors were found standing on its hull, waiting to be rescued.
According to an AP photographer on board the rescue ship, 10 people were taken aboard local fishing boats, while another 59 were rescued by the Indonesian craft. Men, women, and children weakened and soaked from the rain, were seen weeping as they were brought to safety.
The exact number of refugees aboard the boat when it capsized was unclear, with initial estimates ranging from 60 to 100 people. It was also uncertain how many managed to cling to the capsized vessel overnight or if some had drowned.
The search and rescue team from Indonesia faced challenges in locating the boat due to the choppy waters. They only departed from Banda Aceh city hours after the capsizing occurred.
Survivors reported that the boat began leaking while sailing east, and strong currents pushed it toward the west of Aceh. Six individuals remained on the capsized craft, still struggling to survive.
The Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar have faced significant challenges, with many attempting to escape overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Indonesia, along with other neighboring countries, has provided temporary shelter to refugees in distress, despite not being obligated to do so under international conventions.
Last year, nearly 4,500 Rohingya refugees attempted the perilous journey by boat, with a significant number suffering casualties or going missing. The situation is further complicated by the lack of large-scale resettlement opportunities and the ongoing political instability in Myanmar.
