New Delhi, February 26
India’s coast guard found 81 survivors and eight dead on a boat crammed with Rohingya refugees adrift in the Andaman Sea, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Sriva
Human traffickers often lure Rohingya refugees, promising them work in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, and forcing them on risky sea voyages (Getty)
NEW DELHI/DHAKA: Coast Guard found 81 survivors and eight dead on a boat crammed with Muslim Rohingya refugees adrift in the Andaman Sea, and were repairing the vessel so that it can return safely to Bangladesh, Indian officials said on Friday.
The Indian government was in discussions with Bangladesh to facilitate the safe return of the vessel, which was found drifting in international waters having left southern Bangladesh about two weeks ago with hopes of reaching Malaysia.
Indian coast guard finds 81 Rohingyas adrift at sea
Asks Bangladesh
to take them Reuters, New Delhi Reuters, New Delhi
India s coast guard found 81 survivors and eight dead on a boat crammed with Muslim Rohingya refugees adrift in the Andaman Sea, and were repairing the vessel so that it can return safely to Bangladesh, Indian officials said yesterday.
The Indian government was in discussions with Bangladesh to facilitate the safe return of the vessel, which was found drifting in international waters having left southern Bangladesh about two weeks ago with hopes of reaching Malaysia.
The boat had sailed on February 11 from Cox s Bazar carrying 56 women and eight girls as well as 21 men and five boys, officials said.