JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesian rescuers have called off the search for additional Rohingya refugees missing at sea following the capsizing of their boat. Despite reports from some of the 75 survivors suggesting that dozens more were swept away, the search was terminated due to the absence of a passenger list.
Muhammad Fathur Rachman, an official from the local search and rescue agency in Aceh, confirmed that all Rohingya refugees who were on top of the boat during the incident had been rescued. However, without a manifest detailing the passengers aboard the vessel, it was challenging to ascertain the exact number of individuals missing.
Initial survivor accounts had indicated that approximately 150 people were onboard the boat. However, given the lack of official documentation and the vessel’s capacity, rescuers could not verify this figure.
Despite the search’s conclusion, concerns persist over the fate of those unaccounted for. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) expressed deep concern about the incident, highlighting the urgency of addressing the plight of Rohingya refugees and ensuring their safety at sea.
While the search operation has ceased, the tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution and seeking asylum in neighboring countries.
