Nearly 600 migrants thought to be Rohingya refugees from Myanmar were reportedly rescued from two wooden boats stranded off the coast of Indonesia’s northern Aceh province. Authorities said yesterday, the overcrowded boats, which were carrying nearly 100 women and dozens of children among the refugees, were towed to shore by fishermen after running out of fuel.
The migrants left Thailand about seven days ago and some died during the journey. Of those rescued, around 50 were taken to the hospital. Myanmar refuses to recognise Rohingya as citizens and hundreds of thousands have fled persecution in recent years.