Ukhiya , Aug 26 (V7N) - Two Rohingya children went missing after drowning while fishing in the Palongkhali River in Ukhiya , Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday (Aug 25). The body of one child was recovered with the help of local residents, while a search for the other continued until nightfall.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Saber, 9, son of Mohammad Zubair, a resident of Block B-2 in Rohingya Camp 21. The missing child was identified as Imtiaz, 7, son of Hala Mia, a resident of Block B-5 in the same camp.

Local residents and Fire Service officials said Saber and Imtiaz went to the Palongkhali River near Camp 21 at around 4:30pm to catch fish. At one point, they fell into the river and were swept underwater.

Local residents began searching for the children after learning about the incident and later recovered Saber’s body. However, Imtiaz could not be found.

A rescue team from Ukhiya Fire Station reached the scene at around 7pm. Led by station officer Dollar Tripura, the team conducted a search operation in the river but failed to locate the missing child by night.

Ukhiya Fire Station Master Dollar Tripura said assistance had been sought from the Fire Service’s divisional diving team in Chattogram. The divers were travelling from Chattogram to Ukhiya , and another search operation would resume on Wednesday morning after their arrival.

Another Rohingya Child Dies in Canal Drowning

In a separate incident, a nine-year-old Rohingya child died after falling into a canal in Ukhiya on Tuesday morning.

The deceased was identified as Lalu, son of Mohammad Ali Akbar, a resident of Block F/14 in Rohingya Camp 10.

According to camp authorities and local residents, Lalu was playing on a bridge over the Baraitali canal in Rohingya Camp 3 at around 10am when he accidentally slipped and fell into the water. He was swept away by the current.

Local Rohingyas attempted to rescue the child and later informed the Fire Service. Rescue workers, with assistance from local residents, recovered Lalu unconscious from the canal.

He was taken to Hope Hospital near the camp, where doctors declared him dead after providing emergency treatment.

Moulvi Rashid Ullah, head majhi of the camp, confirmed the child’s death and said the matter had been reported to the higher authorities.

The body was buried after completion of the necessary legal procedures.

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