Sri Lanka's navy says it has rescued more than 100 people believed to be Rohingya refugees who were found adrift aboard a fishing trawler off the island nation.

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued over 100 Rohingyas, including 25 children, from distress in the northeastern coastal waters of the island. The group was discovered by local fishermen and brought to Trincomalee for further assistance.

Sri Lanka’s navy rescued more than 100 people believed to be Rohingya refugees who were found adrift aboard a fishing trawler off the island nation, a navy spokesman said. Gayan Wickramasuriya said fishermen had spotted the refugees, including 25 children and 30 women, off Sri Lanka’s northern coast on Thursday.