At least five people have been killed and 174 others injured as brokers opened fire on the passengers in a Malaysia-bound trawler in the Bay of Bengal near the St Martin’s Island in Teknaf upazila on Wednesday.
Of the deceased, four were identified as Selim,31, son of Rashid, of Enayetpur area of Jessore, Rubel, 40, son of Mokam, of the same area, Saiful, 40, of Kahaluka area of Bogra and Monir,30, hailed from Shirajganj.
The identity of another deceased could not be known immediately.
Coast Guard Saint Martin Station Commander Lieutenant Shahid Al Hasan said three foreign nationals have been arrested in this connection.
“Of the arrestees, one hailed from Thailand while another from Myanmar.”
Quoting the passengers, the Coast Guard members said the brokers opened fire on the illegal passengers during a clash between the passengers and the brokers.
"The passengers locked into the clash with the brokers as the trawler became stranded in the Bay some 10 days ago."
Coast Guard Teknaf Station Commander lieutenant Kazi Harunur Rashid said: “Five bodies have been recovered from the trawler and we have rescued some 174 injured people, 15 by bullets. The other passengers along with the injured were rescued from the trawler."
He said, “ The Coast Guard members managed to bring the trawler back to the shore at 6:15pm.”
The trawler was heading to Malaysia carrying about 318 illegal Bangladeshis, he said.
The clash erupted between illegal passengers and their brokers when the engine of the trawler went out of run in the Bay of Bengal on the way to Malaysia, he said.
Hearing the news, the authorities of Coast Guard Teknaf station informed Coast Guard St Martin’s Island station about the matter. A team of Coast Guard were sent to the spot immediately after getting the news.
Locals said some of the stranded passengers sought help from their relatives over mobile phones.