Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Naypyidaw : At least 17 people died after a Rohingya boat capsized while it was on its way from Myanmar to Malaysia, reported CNN.
The rescue teams found their bodies on Myanmar's shores after the incident. Reportedly, 33 people are still missing. Moreover, the incident took place near Rakhine state's capital city Sittwe, according to CNN.
Bya Latt, a spokesperson for the Shwe Yaung Matta Foundation rescue group said that out of 17, ten were women and seven men, adding that, all the victims were Rohingya Muslims.
However, eight victims were found alive and are currently being held at a local police station, Latt added.
Furthermore, an official from Sittwe police said that the boat was transporting 58 people and included three boat drivers.
“They were met with a storm in the sea and the boat sank under huge waves,” the official added, reported CNN. Meanwhile, local police along with the rescue foundation are conducting joint rescue operations.
The police official added that the victims belonged to various townships including Rathedaung, Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
