Reported by Kornelis Kaha
Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (Antara) - The police of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial district of Rote Ndao, on Sunday night, May 31, rescued a total of 65 asylum seekers found stranded in the waters of Pulau Landu Ti.
Rote Police Precinct Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Hidayat confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the police had investigated the case.
"There are 65 asylum seekers, but one of them and a ship crew member fled, and they are still at large," the police stated.
He revealed that one of the asylum seekers is from Myanmar, ten from Bangladesh, and another 54 people are from Sri Lanka.
Hidayat further stated that the asylum seekers intended to go to Australia, but they failed to reach the Australian land after being driven out by the Australian coastal guards.
The asylum seekers used two ships made of wood, and they were accommodated in a temporary shelter of a village head.
Earlier, over 1,750 Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees were accommodated in four temporary shelters in Aceh Darussalam province after being rescued from sea by the local fishermen.
Of the total, 564 are in Punteut, Blang Mangat sub-district, in Lhokseumawe city, North Aceh; 672 are in Kuala Langksa, Langsa; 476 are in Bireun Bayeun, Rantau Selamat sub-district, East Aceh district; and 47 others are in Aceh Tamiang district.(*)
