Cox’s Bazar Correspondent
The coast guard has recovered 15 bodies of Rohingyas including women and children after a trawler carrying Rohingyas capsized near the coast of St Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The authorities fear the toll may increase. According to officials, the trawler carrying some 125 Rohingyas capsized early morning on Tuesday (Feb 11) while on its way to Malaysia.
"Bodies of 14 women and a child have been recovered while 65 people have been rescued alive," said Commander Shafiqul Islam of the Bangladesh Coast Guard's St Martin's Island station.
Coast guard is still continuing operations as the bodies are seen floating in the sea, he added. Along with coast guard, a navy ship also took part in the rescue process. Locals assume that there were more people on the capsized trawler.
Noor Ahmed, chairman of the St Martin's Union Council, said: "So far, fifteen bodies have been recovered in the incident. The number of the deceased may rise.”
“Still more than 50 people are missing,” he added.
In-charge of BCG’s Saint Martin station Lieutenant Commander Naeem Ul Haque said being informed by local fishermen, we rushed to the spot.
The BCG commander said that from a point in Teknaf, some Rohingyas started for Malaysia in two trawlers. Although one of the trawlers capsized, trace of the other could not be found. It is suspected that the other trawler has moved towards Thiland crossing Bangladeshi water line.
