Eighteen Rescued After Rohingya Boat Sinks Off Teknaf Coast
Photo Collected
A trawler carrying Rohingya refugees from Myanmar capsized off the coast of Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf early Friday, prompting an urgent rescue operation that saved 18 people. The accident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. about 1.5 kilometers from the western beach of the Sabrang union.
Local fishermen, who had been unable to head out to sea due to turbulent weather conditions in recent days, spotted the distressed vessel and launched two engine-powered boats to assist. While 18 survivors were successfully pulled from the water, survivors reported that the trawler had been carrying between 27 and 31 passengers, leaving several individuals still missing.
According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, the survivors have been transported to the Shah Porir Dwip BGB camp for questioning and medical attention. Authorities have identified the 18 rescued individuals, noting that four are residents of various Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. The remaining 14 individuals, ranging in age from 20 to 38, are also being processed by officials.
Law enforcement agencies have indicated that one of the rescued individuals is suspected of having ties to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a militant group operating in Myanmar. Security forces are currently verifying these claims as part of a broader investigation into the incident.
Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam confirmed that the trawler was traveling from Myanmar toward the Teknaf coast when it foundered. Police are currently working with the BGB to determine the precise number of passengers who were on board and to establish the intended destination of the vessel. The survivors are expected to be formally transferred to police custody as authorities continue to search for the missing passengers.
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