Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar feared missing
Description
This group leaving Myanmar are among thousands of stateless Rohingyas believed to have gone missing.
The boat's captain, who filmed this footage in October, said they were on their way to Malaysia to join families who fled the conflict in Rakhine state. But no one has heard from them since.
About 12,000 Rohingya Muslims are believed to have left since mid-October. But authorities in Thailand, where boat people usually transit, say they can't confirm numbers.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) COMMANDER OF IMMIGRATION DIVISION 6 POLICE MAJOR GENERAL THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, SAYING:
"The number of boat people that we have found is not that many. The latest incident was in Kapor's Ranong province. We found 252 people."
An advocacy group for the persecuted minority fear many were captured by smugglers and human traffickers.
And even if they reach dry shores, there's the risk of being sent back, as they're considered illegal migrants by Thai authorities.
The boat's captain, who filmed this footage in October, said they were on their way to Malaysia to join families who fled the conflict in Rakhine state. But no one has heard from them since.
About 12,000 Rohingya Muslims are believed to have left since mid-October. But authorities in Thailand, where boat people usually transit, say they can't confirm numbers.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) COMMANDER OF IMMIGRATION DIVISION 6 POLICE MAJOR GENERAL THATCHAI PITANEELABOOT, SAYING:
"The number of boat people that we have found is not that many. The latest incident was in Kapor's Ranong province. We found 252 people."
An advocacy group for the persecuted minority fear many were captured by smugglers and human traffickers.
And even if they reach dry shores, there's the risk of being sent back, as they're considered illegal migrants by Thai authorities.
Keywords & Tags
More from User
00:46
Voters cast ballots Sri Lanka's presidential election.
Reuters
01:05
Recovery teams make plans to raise AirAsia tail section.
Reuters
01:34
Asia-Pacific leaders condemn attack in France
Reuters
01:00
Police hunt three Frenchmen after 12 killed in Paris attack
Reuters
00:52
Anti-terror police hunt for Paris killers in eastern French city of Reims
Reuters
01:27
More women accuse Cosby of assault, Writers Guild announces nominees
Reuters
Related Videos
00:12
Rohingyas arrived in Thailand, arrested by Human Traffickers — at Badambisa, Thailand . وصول الروهينجيين في تايلاند، الذين أعتقلو من قبل المتاجرين بالبشر - في ، بادامبيسا تايلاند.
ANA TV
00:54
Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar use night cover to save lives
ARY NEWS
01:19
India orders to expel fleeing Rohingyas back to Myanmar
MTV
00:48
Fleeing Myanmar, Rohingyas continue to pour into Bangladesh
efeinternational
04:54
ألاف من الروهنجيا هاربين من ميانمار - تقرير قناة الجزيرة -Thousands of Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar (Al Jazeera Interview with Tun Khin)
ANA TV
02:04
Traffickers prey on lost Rohingya children in Bangladesh camps
The Star