Save our souls: Twenty six Sri Lankan men ask for help from local authorities who found them stranded on a boat near Tanjung Intan Port in Cilacap, Central Java, on Wednesday night. JP/Agus Maryono
Twenty six immigrants who claim to be from Sri Lanka were saved after found stranded on a boat near Tanjung Intan Port in Cilacap, Central Java, on Wednesday night.
“We are from Tamil [the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka]. We have been at sea for 25 days. We don't have food and water and fuel,” one of the immigrants told local authorities who tried to help them to land.
The immigrants said they were heading for Australia to escape problems at home.
The Navy, police and port security personnel had difficulty in convincing the immigrants to come to shore. They reportedly refused to land unless they met representatives from the UNHCR.
“We intend to help them, but they were really protective. We have called the UNHCR and promised the immigrants that they will meet with the representatives,” Comr. Ngajib, Cilacap Police deputy chief told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
The authorities later took the immigrants to a hotel in Cilacap to stay temporarily.
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