Boat carrying Rohingyas sinks off Teknaf coast, 13 missing
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
A boat carrying a group of Rohingyas sank off the coast of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar as they were attempting to enter Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Thirteen passengers are missing, while at least 18 people have been rescued alive. The accident occurred at around 8 am Friday off Shah Porir Dwip in the upazila.
Local residents handed over the rescued individuals to the Border Guard Bangladesh near the accident site, close to the West Para boat jetty in Shah Porir Dwip.
Eyewitnesses said a group of Rohingyas was attempting to enter Bangladesh by boat amid the conflict in Rakhine State. As the boat approached the coast, it came under strong currents and rough waves before sinking.
Locals said four boatmen from this side had gone across the border by boat to bring them back. They also went missing after the boat sank.
Abdul Mannan, acting chairman of Sabrang Union Parishad, said, “They were trying to enter Bangladesh because of the conflict situation across the border. As soon as we received the news, local fishermen went there and rescued 18 people alive.”
Mohammad Ismail, a fisherman from West Para in Shah Porir Dwip, said there were a total of 31 passengers on the boat. After the accident, local fishermen carried out a search for a long time and managed to rescue 18 people alive. However, no trace of the 13 others has been found.
According to locals, fishermen are continuing the search in the surrounding sea area. However, the rescue operation is being hampered by rough seas and strong currents.
An unnamed government official claimed that several of those rescued had previously gone from Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar to Myanmar and taken part in fighting against the Arakan Army. The official said they were trying to return to Bangladesh amid the recent conflict. However, the claim could not be independently verified.
Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan, commander of Teknaf 2 Border Guard Bangladesh, said the identities of the 18 people rescued, the reasons for their attempt to enter Bangladesh, and all other aspects of the incident are being verified. Detailed information will be provided after the investigation.
