Dozens of Rohingya dead or missing at sea as Indonesia ends search

The United Nations refugee agency expressed apprehension over the fate of the missing individuals, emphasizing the need for continued support and...

Digital Desk: Dozens of Rohingya refugees are feared dead or missing after their boat capsized off Indonesia's western coast. The incident occurred despite dramatic rescue efforts that saved 69 individuals adrift at sea for weeks. Survivor testimonies suggested that up to 151 refugees were onboard the vessel.

"The fear is for those out of the 151, that haven't been so far rescued, is that those lives have been lost or they have gone missing," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told AFP.

The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, undertake dangerous journeys on fragile boats to escape oppression and seek refuge in neighbouring countries like Malaysia or Indonesia. While some survivors were rescued, concerns persist for those unaccounted for, marking a tragic loss for the Rohingya community. 

"The search ended on Thursday. All Rohingya refugees on top of the boat yesterday have been rescued," Muhammad Fathur Rachman, an official from the search and rescue agency in Aceh, said through a spokesperson.

The United Nations refugee agency expressed apprehension over the fate of the missing individuals, emphasizing the need for continued support and attention to the plight of asylum seekers in the region. 

On Thursday night, at least eight of the refugees were admitted to the hospital. They were admitted for dehydration, according to the search and rescue organization.

The others were brought to a makeshift camp in an abandoned Red Cross facility in a hamlet close to Meulaboh, the district capital of West Aceh.