44 Rohingya bodies washed ashore in Teknaf over 3 days

A total of 44 bodies, including 11 more recently, have been recovered over the last three days from a Rohingya boat sinking on the Naf river and Sea shores in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. Of the 11 bodies, two were found in Baharchhara of Teknaf upazila and nine on Shahpari Island of Sabrang Union by Thursday (August 8) evening. 

The bodies were buried by locals under the supervision of the BGB.

Mohammad Salman, a resident of Shahpari Island in Sabrang Union, said, "Nine bodies were found at three locations on the island on Thursday evening. The deceased were five men, two women, and two children. Local youths, with BGB supervision, recovered and buried the bodies according to religious rituals. Two days earlier, 22 bodies were also recovered and buried."

Farid Ullah, a member of Union No. 7 of Baharchhara Union, said, "The bodies of a man and two women discovered floated from Marisbaniya and Baradail area. Over the past two days, several Rohingya bodies have been discovered at various locations in Baharchhara Union."

Lieutenant Colonel Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, captain of BGB-Teknaf 2, said, "The bodies discovered floating in the past three days from the Rohingya boat sinking were buried by local residents."

Concerning the situation, the Colonel said, "BGB is on high alert due to the situation in Myanmar along the border." 

Another resident of Teknaf's Shahpari Island and a fisherman, Mohammad Hasan, said, "Four boats have sunk in the Bay of Bengal during recent conflicts in Myanmar. Approximately 100 Rohingyas were on these boats; most of them were women and children. Over the past three days, 44 bodies have been recovered, but many are still missing." 

Over the past few days, Rakhine State in Myanmar has witnessed heavy clashes between junta-backed forces and armed rebels. Especially in the Maungdoo, mortar shelling and artillery fire attacks have occurred daily since five days, leading to civilian casualties. As a result, Rohingyas are fleeing Myanmar and seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

Despite the recent boat sinkings, thousands of Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh through various points over the past three days.