Cox’s Bazar, Oct 03 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Navy rescued 76 people from a wooden boat allegedly carrying them illegally to Malaysia and detained 11 suspected members of a human trafficking network during an operation at sea.
The operation was conducted late Wednesday night about 81 nautical miles from the Saint Martin’s Lighthouse while a Navy vessel was conducting a routine patrol, according to the Bangladesh Navy.
The Navy said fishing vessel FV Crystal-1 spotted a wooden boat drifting at sea with its engine apparently disabled. Some of the people aboard behaved suspiciously, prompting the fishing vessel to alert the Navy.
The Navy vessel BNS Khalid Bin Walid, which was patrolling the Saint Martin’s Island area, subsequently reached the location and rescued the boat.
Water was entering the boat, and Navy personnel quickly pumped it out and brought the situation under control before rescuing all 76 people aboard.
The rescued people were provided with first aid, food and other humanitarian assistance.
During preliminary questioning, 11 of the 76 people were identified as suspected members of a human trafficking network, while the remaining 65 were described as victims who had been allegedly deceived with promises of being taken to Malaysia.
The Navy said preliminary information indicated that many of the 65 people had allegedly been abducted by members of the trafficking network and held in remote areas of Teknaf before being taken to sea for transportation to Malaysia.
The boat was allegedly being used to transport people illegally by sea to Malaysia, the Navy said.
The 11 detained suspects and the seized boat were being handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action.
The Navy said the passengers were at serious risk because the boat's engine and pump had failed and water was entering the vessel. The timely rescue operation prevented a potentially serious accident and loss of life, it said.
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