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Last updated: 20 May, 2006 - Published 11:44 GMT
 
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Sri Lankan refugees drown off India
 

 
 
Indian navy personnel have recovered the bodies of five Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who drowned after their boat capsized in the Palk Straits on Saturday morning.

A group of 19 Tamil refugees were travelling in a boat towards the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu when the incident took place.

Indian navy officials in Rameswaram told the BBC they rescued nine people and brought them to Mandapam.

They are searching for five more people who are feared drowned.

The boat capsized near the Aindham Thittai islet allegedly due to engine failure, while it was heading towards Dhanushkodi coast in Tamil Nadu.

All the 19 refugees are said to be from Trincomalee.

Meanwhile, 71 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, who travelled in six other boats, reached the Tamil Nadu coast safely on Saturday morning.

 
 
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