Four bodies of Rohingyas, including that of a woman, have been recovered after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the sea off Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, while they were attempting to enter Bangladesh from Myanmar.
The bodies were recovered from the western coastal area of Shah Porir Dwip on Saturday, confirmed Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ahsan Uddin.
Several others, including a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member, are still missing, UNO Sheikh Ahsan added.
Earlier, at around 2:30am on Friday night, BGB rescued 25 individuals, including women, men, and children, from the boat capsize incident in Teknaf.
UNO Sheikh Ahsan said: "The bodies of four Rohingya refugees were found floating in the sea after the boat carrying them capsized. Several others, including a BGB member, remain missing. Law enforcement agencies are actively working on the matter."
According to local sources, a boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Myanmar was spotted near Shah Porir Dwip's western coast in Teknaf.
BGB members, assisted by local fishermen aboard Mohammad Amin’s trawler, signaled it to stop, they said.
As a BGB member boarded, rough waves capsized the boat. Fishermen and BGB personnel rescued 25 people, including women and children, while a search was launched for the missing BGB member and others.
Survivors said the boat carried over 50 people.
The incident is believed to be linked to a human trafficking ring led by local traffickers Iman Hossain and Abul Monsur, who facilitated the illegal transportation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
Lt Col Md Ashikur Rahman, commander of Teknaf-2 BGB Battalion, said: "A boat carrying Rohingya refugees sank near the western shore of Shah Porir Dwip while attempting to illegally enter Bangladesh via the sea route. Initial reports suggest that the boat capsized due to a rupture in its hull."
He added: "Upon receiving the news, BGB personnel, with the help of local fishermen, launched a rescue operation and managed to save 25 individuals, including children. However, a BGB member who was part of the rescue operation went missing in the sea. Although the boat has been recovered, no further survivors have been found yet. Floating bodies are still visible in the sea. Our rescue operation is ongoing. The rescued Rohingya refugees are currently in BGB custody."
