DENPASAR ~ Four Myanmarese crewmembers of the Thai ship Mahajahe were rescued by Balinese fishermen on Thursday, an official said.

Officials said the four men, Aco, 30, Arece, 25, Aung, 28, and Pae, 20 had escaped from their ship where they were allegedly being forced to work.

Benoa Coastguard said the men were taken to their office, where they were checked over and found to be unharmed.

“Fishermen from a Benoa-based boat, the Bandar Nelayan, found one man in a float and then three others together,” Benoa coastguard Rai Suandi said.

According to Rai, the men would be held at the coastguard office while he discussed the issue with immigration.