9 Rohingya die after boat capsizes near Teknaf

The dead bodies of nine Rohingya, including three children, have been recovered from the coast of Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf Upazila. As many as 22 others have been reported missing over the incident.

According to public representatives, the victims were trying to enter Bangladesh territory by sea from Myanmar, according to bdnews24.com.

Md Adnan Chowdhury, the chief executive officer of Teknaf, said that the boat carrying the Rohingya capsized in the sea near Habirchhara and Rajarchhara point areas of Teknaf Sadar Union on Tuesday.

Of the bodies recovered from the coast, three are children, four women and two men. He also said that two people were rescued alive following the incident.

However, the officials have yet to identify the victims.

Abdur Rashid, a member of Ward no 1 of Teknaf Sadar Union, told bdnews24.com that a boat carrying 31 Rohingya capsized while trying to flee Myanmar’s Rakhine State. They were on their way to Bangladesh to escape the conflict raging in Myanmar.

Although a few of them managed to swim ashore, several passengers of the boat drowned in the sea. The bodies of nine people were recovered with the help of the locals on Tuesday. At least 22 of them are still missing.

According to Abdur Rashid, preparations are underway to hand over the dead bodies to the families of the victims in various Rohingya shelters located in Teknaf, which are under the Upazila administration.

Adnan Chowdhury said legal action is being taken over the incident.

He also added that a few of the Rohingya men were detained while they tried to infiltrate the borders. They are currently in the custody of the BGB.