At least 18 Rohingyas were rescued alive after a boat carrying people fleeing Myanmar capsized in the sea off Teknaf while attempting to enter Bangladesh on Friday morning, with many others still reported missing.
The incident occurred around 12:00pm near the boat jetty at Poschim para of Shah Porir Dwip in Subrang union under Teknaf upazila.
The rescued Rohingyas were handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Md Ismail, Local fisherman, said they managed to rescue 18 people after the boat sank but many others remain missing. He said none of those rescued were women or children.
Lt Col Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Commanding Officer of Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, said 18 Rohingyas had been rescued following the boat capsize near Shah Porir Dwip and are now in BGB custody.
He said authorities are verifying the reasons behind their entry into Bangladesh, after which necessary legal steps will be taken.