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Missing migrant boat found as two countries offer shelter Missing migrant boat found as countries offer shelter
(about 2 hours later)
Migrants found by the BBC last week drifting off the coast of Thailand have been rescued by Indonesian fishermen.Migrants found by the BBC last week drifting off the coast of Thailand have been rescued by Indonesian fishermen.
A BBC reporter who reached the boat says it is filthy and insect infested. The engine broke down last week. A BBC reporter who reached their boat says it is filthy and insect infested.
In a significant change, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to offer temporary shelter to 7,000 migrants stranded in the Andaman Sea. In a significant change, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to offer temporary shelter to 7,000 stranded migrants. Thailand also said it would no longer push back the stranded boats.
Nearly 3,000 Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants have come to shore in recent weeks, but many have been turned away.Nearly 3,000 Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants have come to shore in recent weeks, but many have been turned away.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman announced the change after emergency talks in Kuala Lumpur with his Indonesian and Thai counterparts on the growing humanitarian crisis. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman announced the policy change after emergency talks in Kuala Lumpur with his Indonesian and Thai counterparts on the growing humanitarian crisis.
Thailand earlier failed to join its neighbours in their commitment to shelter the migrants but later said it too would no longer push back boats stranded in its territorial waters. It also said it would continue to provide humanitarian assistance.
Analysis: Mariko Oi, BBC News, Kuala LumpurAnalysis: Mariko Oi, BBC News, Kuala Lumpur
It was a surprise move by Malaysia and Indonesia to offer temporary shelter immediately to 7,000 migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar - they have been towing the boats out of their waters for weeks.It was a surprise move by Malaysia and Indonesia to offer temporary shelter immediately to 7,000 migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar - they have been towing the boats out of their waters for weeks.
The two countries said the decision was made due to the worsening humanitarian crisis. But they have asked the international community for financial assistance and for the migrants to be resettled or repatriated within a year. How that will be achieved remains unclear.The two countries said the decision was made due to the worsening humanitarian crisis. But they have asked the international community for financial assistance and for the migrants to be resettled or repatriated within a year. How that will be achieved remains unclear.
The ministers emphasised that the deal only applies to those who are already at sea as they don't want to open the floodgates to more refugees. Again more questions than answers.The ministers emphasised that the deal only applies to those who are already at sea as they don't want to open the floodgates to more refugees. Again more questions than answers.
Thailand's position remains unchanged and, as things stand, it will not be providing shelter, something many see as damaging to its image. The country's foreign minister drove off right in front of us before the announcement was made in order to catch a flight back to Bangkok.
The perilous journey of a migrant boat that made itThe perilous journey of a migrant boat that made it
'Towed out''Towed out'
The migrant boat which arrived off Indonesia's northern Aceh province on Wednesday, was first spotted drifting last Thursday.The migrant boat which arrived off Indonesia's northern Aceh province on Wednesday, was first spotted drifting last Thursday.
Those on board told the BBC's Jonathan Head at the time that they had been abandoned by people-smugglers and were running out of food and water. They said 10 people on board had already died.Those on board told the BBC's Jonathan Head at the time that they had been abandoned by people-smugglers and were running out of food and water. They said 10 people on board had already died.
The Thai navy gave them food and water and later fixed the boat's engine and towed them out to sea. Contact was then lost with the boat.The Thai navy gave them food and water and later fixed the boat's engine and towed them out to sea. Contact was then lost with the boat.
The migrants say they were towed out to sea three times by the Thai and Malaysian navies and described how the Malaysian authorities escorted them virtually the whole way to Indonesia warning them never to return.The migrants say they were towed out to sea three times by the Thai and Malaysian navies and described how the Malaysian authorities escorted them virtually the whole way to Indonesia warning them never to return.
The BBC's Xinyan Yu, who is on board the trawler, says it is dirty and covered in bottles of pepper sauce, dirty plates and plastic bags of instant noodles. The smell is overwhelming she adds. The BBC's Xinyan Yu, who is on board the abandoned trawler, says it is dirty and covered in bottles of pepper sauce, dirty plates and plastic bags of instant noodles. The smell is overwhelming she adds.
More than 400 people were rescued off Aceh on Wednesday.More than 400 people were rescued off Aceh on Wednesday.
Speaking after the emergency meeting in Malaysia, Foreign Minister Aman said his country and Indonesia would stop towing the boats into others' territorial waters.Speaking after the emergency meeting in Malaysia, Foreign Minister Aman said his country and Indonesia would stop towing the boats into others' territorial waters.
But he warned they would only provide shelter if the migrants came ashore, and under the condition that the international community would help to repatriate or resettle them within a year.But he warned they would only provide shelter if the migrants came ashore, and under the condition that the international community would help to repatriate or resettle them within a year.
Despite not offering shelter, Thailand later said it would continue to provide humanitarian assistance.
Thailand's Deputy Defence Minister, Gen Udomdej, said his government considered the migrants to be illegally entering the country because they had not fled violence or conflict in a war zone.Thailand's Deputy Defence Minister, Gen Udomdej, said his government considered the migrants to be illegally entering the country because they had not fled violence or conflict in a war zone.
Rights groups, who have repeatedly called on the governments of the three nations to prioritise saving the lives of those on board, have welcomed Wednesday's announcement.Rights groups, who have repeatedly called on the governments of the three nations to prioritise saving the lives of those on board, have welcomed Wednesday's announcement.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said it was "an important step" in resolving the crisis, but warned it was "urgent for people to be brought to shore without delay".The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said it was "an important step" in resolving the crisis, but warned it was "urgent for people to be brought to shore without delay".
International Organisation for Migration spokesman Jeff Labovitz said the immediate offer of help would save lives by getting thousands of people off the high seas to safety.International Organisation for Migration spokesman Jeff Labovitz said the immediate offer of help would save lives by getting thousands of people off the high seas to safety.
Why has this crisis erupted?Why has this crisis erupted?
Why are so many Rohingya stranded at sea?Why are so many Rohingya stranded at sea?
Myanmar's unwanted peopleMyanmar's unwanted people
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Are you a Bangladeshi or Rohingya migrant? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Are you a Bangladeshi or Rohingya migrant? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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