Lankan asylum seekers in Indonesian custody

Indonesian police are holding 50 Sri Lankan asylum seekers in custody two days after they were found stranded and starving in a faulty boat drifting off Sumatra.

Fishermen found them on a vessel with a broken engine and brought them ashore on Thursday, National Search and Rescue Agency spokesman Gagah Prakoso told AFP on Saturday, adding that the group had been trying to reach Australia.

“They were starving and dehydrated but have since been given food, water and medical attention,” he said.

“They are now in the custody of police in the town of Sikakap.”