Bangladesh Navy Rescues 65 People From a Sinking Boat Allegedly Run by a Trafficking Ring
The Bangladesh Navy pulled 65 people from a drifting, flooding wooden boat 81 nautical miles off St Martin's Island and detained 11 suspected traffickers who were allegedly taking them to Malaysia.
The Bangladesh Navy rescued 65 people from a wooden boat taking on water in the Bay of Bengal on the night of Wednesday, September 30, and detained 11 people suspected of running a human trafficking operation, according to The Daily Star. The boat was allegedly carrying people illegally to Malaysia.
A fishing crew noticed the drifting boat
The fishing vessel FV Crystal-1 first spotted the boat drifting about 81 nautical miles from the St Martin's Lighthouse after its engine failed. The crew became suspicious of the people aboard and alerted the navy. BNS Khalid Bin Walid, which was on routine patrol, reached the boat as water was coming in after its engine and pump malfunctioned.
Pumping out the boat and giving first aid
Navy personnel pumped water out of the boat to keep it from sinking and gave the people on board first aid, food and other humanitarian help, The Business Standard reported, citing a statement from the military's media wing. Of the 76 people on the boat, 65 were identified as victims who had been lured with promises of passage to Malaysia, and 11 were identified as members of the trafficking ring.
Held in Teknaf before being taken to sea
Most of the victims had allegedly been abducted by the syndicate and held captive in remote areas of Teknaf, in Cox's Bazar, before being put on the boat. The 11 detained suspects and the seized boat were being handed over to Teknaf Police Station. The reports, which rely on a navy press release, do not give the victims' nationalities or say what legal steps would follow for the suspects.
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