ACEH, RAKYAT NEWS – On the morning of November 30, 2024, 116 ethnic Rohingya migrants were stranded in Kuala Ujung Perling, a coastal area in the Paya Peulawi Village, Bireuen Bayeun District, East Aceh, after the motorboat they were on capsized.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. local time. According to Syamsul Bahri, the Head of the Politics, Government, and Security Division at the East Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, local fishermen rescued the migrants after the boat was damaged and nearly sank.

The stranded group consists of 32 men, 46 women, 15 boys, and 23 girls. They are currently being processed and registered by authorities. Kuala Ujung Perling is located approximately three hours away by a fishing boat from Paya Peulawi Village. The migrants’ arrival has prompted local authorities to take swift action to ensure their safety and well-being.

Syamsul further explained that the migrants were rescued by local fishermen, who discovered the boat in distress. It is suspected that the vessel experienced technical issues, which led to the near-capsizing of the boat. While the migrants were fortunate to be saved, their uncertain journey has raised concerns among local officials about the conditions faced by the Rohingya refugees.

In addition to the group in Kuala Ujung Perling, there are currently 47 other Rohingya migrants being sheltered at Seunebok Rawang Football Field in Peureulak Timur District. These individuals are part of a larger group of 230 who had arrived in East Aceh earlier this year, with some reaching the area in early February and others in late October 2024.

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