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Jakarta Post

Stranded Tamil asylum seekers in limbo

Thu, June 16, 2016   /   11:37 pm
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    A wooden boat carrying 44 Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka is seen anchored off Aceh's coast on Monday. The Jakarta Post/ Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Women and children are seen on the boat. The vessel is carrying 20 men, 15 women and nine children.The Jakarta Post/ Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Medical officers prepare to check on the asylum seekers’ health. The Jakarta Post/ Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Indonesian rescue team members board the stranded vessel. The Jakarta Post/ Hotli Simanjuntak

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    The stranded asylum seekers gesture for help. They are not allowed to leave the boat as they lack passports and immigration documents. The Jakarta Post/ Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Indonesian authorities collect information on the asylum seekers on board the vessel. The Jakarta Post/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Possessions are seen inside the cabin of the stranded boat. The Jakarta Post/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    Children undergo medical checks with Indonesian authorities. The Jakarta Post/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    A woman holds her son while they wait for a medical check-up. The Jakarta Post/Hotli Simanjuntak

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    An officer checks the engine of the stranded boat. The Jakarta Post/Hotli Simanjuntak

A group of 44 Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, consisting of 20 men, 15 women — one of whom is pregnant — and nine children, have become stranded in Aceh in an attempt to reach Australia.

The group had been sailing for about 20 days, fleeing what appears to be a deteriorating security situation in Sri Lanka, before the Indian-flagged boat became stranded on Saturday in Lhoknga waters, Aceh Besar regency, and was found by local fishermen.

Local authorities assisted the asylum seekers by repairing their broken motor and providing them with food and fuel. The group then departed from Lhoknga on Sunday, only to return the next day asking for more fuel to continue their journey.

Aceh immigration authorities, however, did not allow them to land as they did not have passports or other relevant travel documents. Consequently, they remained on the boat, anchored 2 kilometers offshore, refusing to set sail unless they were provided with more assistance. [dmr]