Indonesia blocks Rohingya refugees from landing at tourist beach

At least 75 Rohingya refugees, including four children, were stranded off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province on Wednesday after authorities prevented them from disembarking at Leuge beach, news reports said.

Security officers ordered the group to remain aboard their boat due to concerns they might mix with tourists during the public holiday, local officials said.

Authorities stated the refugees would stay on the boat until representatives from the UNHCR and IOM arrived. The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, often undertake dangerous sea journeys seeking refuge in Malaysia or Indonesia.