At least 240 Rohingya refugees afloat off Indonesia

Rohingyas disembark from their boat upon landing in Indonesia. Pic/AP

Some 240 Rohingya Muslims, including women and children, are afloat off the coast of Indonesia after two attempts to land were rejected by local residents. Officials said the boat most recently tried to land in Aceh Utara district, in Indonesia's Aceh province, on Thursday afternoon, but left a few hours later.

It is the fourth boat to reach Indonesia's northernmost province since Tuesday. Three others arrived in a different district and were allowed to land. Residents of the Ulee Madon beach in Muara Batu said they would not accept the latest group as Rohingya have come to the area several times and caused problems.

"From a humanitarian perspective, we are concerned, but they are causing commotion. We provided shelter but cannot accommodate them," Saiful Afwadi, a traditional leader at Muara Batu.

Two
No. of attempts made by refugees to land ashore

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