Sri Lanka Navy rescues 102 Rohingya refugees adrift at sea: Video

Rohingya Muslims arrive in North Aceh
FILE PHOTO: Rohingya Muslims walk through waters after they are temporarily allowed by locals to land in Ulee Madon beach, North Aceh, Indonesia, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer /File photo
Source: X80002

Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 102 Rohingya refugees who were found adrift on a fishing trawler off the northern coast of the island nation.

The group, which included 25 children and 30 women, was spotted by local fishermen on Thursday, prompting a swift response from the navy.

The refugees, believed to be fleeing persecution in Myanmar, were escorted to a naval base on Sri Lanka's east coast. Upon arrival, they were provided with medical care, food, and water. Navy spokesman Gayan Wickramasuriya noted that while communication difficulties have prevented immediate confirmation of their identities, it is highly likely that the group is from Myanmar.

This rescue operation mirrors a similar incident in 2022 when the Sri Lankan navy saved 100 Rohingya refugees found in similar circumstances. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, have faced severe persecution and violence in Myanmar, leading many to undertake perilous journeys in search of safety.

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