Largest Group of Rohingya Refugees in Months Land in Indonesia
This marks the largest contingent of persecuted Rohingya from Myanmar to arrive in months. The Rohingya, who are mostly Muslim, undertake perilous sea journeys each year in an attempt to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.
The group of 196 refugees landed in a remote area of Aceh Province's Pidie region, with some immediately fleeing inland, AFP reported.
Local authorities and residents are providing assistance to the refugees, offering food and drink.
Images of exhausted refugees, including women with babies, waiting for help on the beach have surfaced.
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The UN refugee agency estimates that over 2,000 Rohingya have attempted the dangerous journey to Southeast Asian countries this year.
Last year, the agency estimated that nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing during hazardous sea crossings.
In March, 184 Rohingya refugees arrived in the eastern Aceh town of Peureulak after being abandoned at sea and forced to swim ashore.
Source: Agencies
