Five children drown as Rohingya boats sink off Bangladesh | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Five children drown as Rohingya boats sink off Bangladesh

Agence France-Presse, Cox's Bazar | ByAgence France-Presse
Sep 06, 2017 06:31 PM IST

Authorities said three to four boats had sunk at the mouth of the Naf river, which divides Bangladesh and Myanmar’s violence-wracked Rakhine state, raising fears there could be many more casualties.

At least five children drowned when boats carrying Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar sank early on Wednesday, Bangladesh border guards told AFP.

Rohingya refugees wash mud from their clothes while crossing a canal in Teknaf, Bangladesh September 1, 2017. Picture taken September 1, 2017.(REUTERS Photo)
Rohingya refugees wash mud from their clothes while crossing a canal in Teknaf, Bangladesh September 1, 2017. Picture taken September 1, 2017.(REUTERS Photo)

Authorities said three to four boats had sunk at the mouth of the Naf river, which divides Bangladesh and Myanmar’s violence-wracked Rakhine state, raising fears there could be many more casualties.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Scores of people have already been killed attempting to cross the Naf border river since a fresh upsurge in violence in Rakhine on August 25, many using small fishing boats unsuited to the rough coastal waters.

Border Guard Bangladesh officer Aloysius Sangma said three to four boats packed with Rohingya refugees had gone down early Wednesday.

“So far, the bodies of five male and female children have been found at different locations,” he told AFP.

Local police chief Main Uddin said authorities were travelling to the spot to investigate.

More than 125,000 refugees have flooded across the border into Bangladesh.

Most are Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority that the government of Buddhist-majority Myanmar largely does not recognise as citizens.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On