Dozens more Rohingya rescued from Indonesia waters

March 02, 2013

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IDI RAYEUK, Indonesia – For the second time in as many days, fishermen in western Indonesia rescued Rohingya asylum-seekers from Burma found drifting at sea, police said Friday (March 1st), according to AFP.

The vessel had no engine and was located off the eastern coast of Sumatra near the province of Aceh.

"Fishermen found the boat with 63 Rohingya late Thursday afternoon around 160km from the coastal town of Idi Rayeuk. They then towed the boat to shore," East Aceh district police chief Muhajir said, adding officials only know at this point that the Rohingya were from Burma. "We don't know where exactly the boat sailed from, as they're too tired and hungry to be interviewed and we're having problems communicating."

On Tuesday, fishermen in Sumatra rescued 121 Rohingya. The minority Muslims are fleeing skirmishes with Buddhists in the western state of Rakhine.

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