Four Rohingyas' bodies, including that of a child, were recovered from the Bay of Bengal in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, after they drowned while attempting to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar, with several others, including a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member, still missing.
A total of 25 Rohingyas survived the crossing, and were rescued during the incident.
The missing BGB member has been identified as Billal Hasan, a soldier stationed at the Shahpari Island BGB Border Outpost.
The bodies of the Rohingyas were recovered from the western coastal area of Shahpari Island in Teknaf by 7:30 pm on Saturday. Among the recovered were one child and three women.
According to locals, a boat carrying fleeing Rohingyas from Myanmar was seen floating off the west shore of Shahpari Island in Teknaf on Friday night. BGB personnel, with the help of local residents, went to rescue them, but the boat capsized in the rough sea.
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The survivors reported that the boat had around fifty people on board.
Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said, "Four Rohingya bodies were found floating after the boat capsized. In addition to the BGB member, several other Rohingyas are still missing. The law enforcement agencies are working on their rescue."
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ashikur Rahman, Commander of BGB-2 Battalion, said, "While attempting to enter Bangladesh illegally by sea, a boat carrying Rohingyas capsized near the west shore of Shahpari Island in Teknaf. The boat is believed to have capsized due to a hole in its bottom."
He added, "Upon receiving the news, BGB personnel, with the help of local fishermen, carried out a rescue operation and were able to rescue 25 people, including a child. However, one BGB member who participated in the rescue operation went missing at sea."