Hungry, dehydrated and exhausted, more than 180 Rohingya refugees who were stranded at sea for nearly a month have been rescued and disembarked from their wooden vessel in Indonesia, UNHCR and relatives have confirmed.
At least 20 people, including women and children, died onboard during the four-week arduous journey, relatives told The National. The figure cannot be independently confirmed.
Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, an advocacy group for the persecuted ethnic minority of Myanmar, said the boat washed ashore in Indonesia's Aceh province on Monday.
“In the end, they were 185 onboard. They look in pretty bad shape,” Ms Lewa told The National.
Regarding the number of casualties, she said there are no confirmed reports. “We were told many different numbers. The last number given by the captain was 16 dead three days ago. However, we are now told that the boat had embarked with 197 people in Bangladesh on November 25. As 185 were rescued, it would mean that 12 died during the journey,” she said.
The 83 men, 70 women and 32 children rescued are currently accommodated in a local facility and receiving treatment.
This is the fourth such boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and Myanmar that has landed on Indonesian shores in recent months, according to advocacy groups.
“I believe they are receiving care, treatment and humanitarian assistance in Aceh.
"The most important thing is they have talked to their relatives and are safe,” said Ms Lewa.
The small boat without any safety apparatus was believed to have left Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazaar for Malaysia on November 25. It developed engine failure and drifted into the Indian Ocean. The boat was recently spotted off the Andaman Islands in Indian waters and was reportedly approached by the Indian Navy.
People onboard were desperately seeking help, saying they had not eaten for weeks.
The UN’s call for help fell on deaf ears, despite the dire condition of the people in the boat.
Families relieved
Relatives and family members said they are relieved that their loved ones are safe.
Mohammed Rezuwan Khan, 25, a Rohingya, who lives in Bangladesh, told The National that he spoke to his widowed sister Hatemonesa and her five-year-old daughter Umme Salima, who are now safe in Indonesia.
“I spoke to them over the phone. She and the kids are safe now, although tired and exhausted. She said she thought they will all die in the sea. Her daughter has severe diarrhoea and dehydration. She is being treated,” said Mr Rezuwan Khan.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday that 2022 could be one of the deadliest years at sea in almost a decade for the Rohingya, as thousands have tried to flee desperate conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Some 2,400 Rohingya have made or tried to make the sea journey to countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia this year, Babar Baloch, UNHCR spokesperson for Asia, told The National.
“At least 119 people are feared dead or missing in the sea this year alone,” he said.
Nearly one million Rohingya from Myanmar are living in cramped refugee camps in Bangladesh, after fleeing a brutal military crackdown by the Myanmar army in 2017. With no access to education or job prospects, many embark on the dangerous sea voyage across Andaman, with the hope of reaching countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
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4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
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5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
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5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
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6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
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6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
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7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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- Sam Williams: Departure is influenced by its sense of place
