4 found dead after Rohingya trawler capsizes in Naf, several including BGB member still missing

Four bodies have been found floating in the Naf River following the capsize of a trawler carrying Rohingyas, who were trying to illegally enter Bangladesh from Myanmar through Teknaf.

According to Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, locals this evening (22 March) reported seeing the bodies of four people floating in the waters of the Naf River near Shah Porir Dwip and Damdamia estuary.

Among the dead are three women and one child, he said. Efforts to recover the bodies are ongoing with the help of the locals, added the UNO.

Earlier, the trawler carrying dozens of Rohingyas capsized in the Naf, while trying to enter Bangladesh through the Poshchim Para ghat of Shah Porir Dwip, after developing a leak in the wee hours of today (22 March).

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, along with local fishermen, rescued 25 Rohingyas alive after rushing to the scene, said Lt Col Md Ashiqur Rahman, the commanding officer of BGB's Teknaf 2 Battalion, confirming the developments.

However, he said, during the rescue operation, one BGB member identified as Mohammad Belal, 28, went missing in the sea along with several other Rohingyas. Belal is a sepoy stationed at Shah Porir Dwip BGB Border Outpost (BOP) under the Sabrang Union. A rifle and four magazines that were with him are also missing.

The sunken trawler was later recovered. BGB with the help of locals is continuing the rescue operation to find the missing individuals. 

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, Shah Porir Dwip Union Parishad Member Abdul Mannan, and Poshchim Para Fishermen's Ghat General Secretary Abdul Gafur also confirmed the developments citing locals.

The rescued Rohingyas were given initial medical treatment and are currently in BGB custody. The survivors claimed the trawler had around 60 people on board.