FROM PAGE 12

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) said they were deeply saddened by the capsize, adding that at least 250 people remained missing. The agencies described the incident as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Rohingya refugees and other vulnerable groups undertaking perilous sea journeys.

The boat, which departed from Teknaf and was bound for Malaysia, sank in the second week of April amid rough seas, the UN said. Survivors said nearly 300 people were packed onboard, including women, children, crew members and suspected traffickers.

Rafiqul Islam, one of the survivors, said passengers endured four days and nights at sea as conditions rapidly deteriorated. In an attempt to avoid patrols, traffickers forced passengers into cramped storage compartments meant for fish and nets.

“There was hardly any oxygen,” he told Reuters, adding that at least 30 people died from suffocation before the boat capsized.

When the boat overturned, hundreds were thrown into the sea, he said.

Relatives of the missing victims expressed frustration, alleging that there has been no visible action from Bangladeshi authorities so far.

Zainal Abedin, a fisherman from Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf, left home on April 4 without informing his family. Later, relatives learned that he had planned to travel to Malaysia through brokers.

“We still don’t know what has happened to him,” said his mother, Hasina Begum.

Two others from the same area, Hasan and Farid, also went missing after travelling to Malaysia, their families said. In Cox’s Bazar town’s Samitipara area, several young people, including Ibrahim, Harun Noor, and Shafique, have also been reported missing.

Posts seeking information about missing persons have been circulating on Rohingya-run social media groups. Rohingya rights activist Khin Maung, in a Facebook post, said one of his acquaintances, Md Ullah, is believed to be among the missing.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Coast Guard said a Bangladeshi-flagged vessel, MT Meghna Pride, rescued nine people from the Andaman Sea on April 9. The survivors were later handed over to a Coast Guard patrol vessel.

They are Md Imran, Rahela Begum, Hriday, Sohan Uddin, Md Akbar, Rafiqul Islam, Tofayel, Sayad Alam, and Md Hamid.

A case has been filed with the Teknaf Police Station over the incident.

A rescued victim confirmed to this correspondent that the people accused in the case were traffickers.

Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, said the investigation was underway.

“We are working to identify those involved,” he said, adding that there is no confirmed data yet on the total number of missing persons.