15 die as trawler sinks in Bay

The bodies of at least 15 peole were retrieved while 73others rescued alive after a-Malaysia-bound trawler carrying Rohingyas capsized near the Saint Martin’s island in the Bay of Bengal early Tuesday.

The deceased included 12 women and three children. Those rescued alive included 24 men, 46 women and three children, reports UNB.

Lt Commander M Hamidul Islam, media officer, Coast Guard’s Dhaka Head Office, said two trawlers left Teknaf’sMonakhali area for Malaysia with over 250 Rohingya people at 8pm on Monday and one of the trawlers sank near 3-4 km off the Saint Martin’s Island.

Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard and Navy in a joint drive retrieved 15 bodies so far, while 73 Rohingyas were rescued alive, Islam added.

Bangladesh Navy's ships 'BNS Durjoy' and 'BNS Karatoya', and Coast Guard’s ship 'CGS Mansoor Ali' joined the rescue operation, he added.

Islam also said that they are pulling the trawler to the shore while the other trawler could not be traced yet.