Rohingya boat sinks, 13 missing
A boat carrying Rohingyas fleeing fighting in Myanmar capsized off Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Friday morning, leaving at least 13 people missing.
Local fishermen rescued 18 passengers and later handed them over to the Border Guard Bangladesh.
The incident occurred around 8:00am near the Pashchim Para boat jetty at Shah Porir Dwip in Sabrang Union, according to local officials.
Acting Sabrang Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Mannan said the vessel sank while attempting to enter Bangladesh. The passengers were reportedly fleeing ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State.
Local fisherman Md Ismail said the boat was carrying 31 people.
“We rescued 18 people, but 13 others remain missing,” he said, adding that none of those rescued was a woman or child.
Teknaf BGB-2 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan confirmed that the 18 survivors were in BGB custody.
“We are verifying why they came to Bangladesh. Further details will be provided later,” he said.
The incident highlights the continuing humanitarian fallout from the conflict in Myanmar, as Rohingyas continue to undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of safety.
Similar boat accidents have occurred in recent months, reflecting worsening insecurity in Rakhine State and the absence of conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.
Bangladesh currently hosts around 1.25 million Rohingyas in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf. More than 800,000 of them fled to Bangladesh following the Myanmar military’s crackdown in August 2017.
Meanwhile, US President’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor visited Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Friday as part of his three-day official visit to Bangladesh.
The high-level US delegation arrived in Cox’s Bazar by special aircraft around noon and travelled to Kutupalong Camp 4 in Ukhiya after 2:00pm, officials said.
The delegation inspected World Food Programme food-assistance activities in Camp 4 Extension and Camp 6, visited a Bangladesh Red Crescent Society hospital and toured a refugee registration centre operated by the UN Refugee Agency.
During the visit, Gor reviewed US-funded humanitarian programmes and held talks with representatives of UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration and Bangladesh’s Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner.
The discussions focused on continued humanitarian assistance, security and law and order in the camps, and efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, according to officials.
The US envoy also met Rohingya community leaders to hear about their concerns and humanitarian needs.
US Embassy officials said Gor’s visit reflected Washington’s commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-US relations, supporting regional stability and pursuing a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
