300 Rohingya Refugees Found Safe, Fate Of 200 More Unknown

ALOR SETAR (Kedah, Malaysia), Dec 2 (Bernama) -- About 300 ethnic Rohingya refugees, reported stranded between the waters of Myanmar and Bangladesh since Nov 17, were found safe by Bangladeshi villagers two days ago. Malaysia Rohingyas Association, Kedah branch chairman, Yusof Ali said they were among 500 Rohingyas who fled Myanmar in several boats after their villages in the Rakhine region were burned down while several residents were killed. However, he said, based on information received from his countrymen, the fate of the other 200 who also fled in boats, was not known and that they could have drowned or shot by Myanmar government soldiers. "Those who are safe have contacted me to inform that four boats carrying scores of Rohingya refugees were shot at by soldiers when entering Myanmar waters after being ordered to turn back by the Bangladeshi army," he told reporters, here, Thursday. He said the lack of food and over-crowded narrow boats had also resulted in the death of several children from hunger. Yusof said during that time, there were women who gave birth in a deplorable condition in the boats and survived on sea water and seaweed. He said the 25 boats had set sail on Nov 17, each carrying 20 to 25 refugees including children, and he lost contact with them since Nov 21. Kedah is Malaysia's northern state. --BERNAMA