Published : 02 Oct 2026, 02:20 PM
Updated : 02 Oct 2026, 02:20 PM
The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 65 people allegedly being trafficked to Malaysia and detained 11 suspected traffickers from a distressed boat in the deep sea near Saint Martin’s Island.
Fishing trawler "FV Crystal-1" spotted the wooden boat about 81 nautical miles from the Saint Martin’s Lighthouse on Thursday night and alerted the Navy after finding the people on board in suspicious circumstances, according to a Navy statement.
"BNS Khalid Bin Walid", which was on a routine patrol, subsequently reached the vessel.
The boat was in a precarious condition after its engine and pump malfunctioned and it began taking on water. Navy personnel pumped out the water and brought the vessel under control before taking the 76 people on board to safety.
The Navy said preliminary questioning identified 11 of them as suspected members of a human trafficking syndicate, while the other 65 said they had been deceived with promises of being sent to Malaysia.
Most of the 65 had been kept in remote areas of Teknaf before being taken out to sea as part of an attempt to send them to Malaysia, according to the statement.
The rescued people were provided with first aid, food and other assistance.
The 11 suspected traffickers were detained, while arrangements were being made to hand them and the seized boat over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action, the Navy said.
The Navy said its regular patrols and operations would continue to combat human trafficking, smuggling and other illegal activities in Bangladesh's maritime territory.
Teknaf Model Police Station chief Saiful Islam confirmed the rescue and detentions on Friday morning.
He said the rescued people and detainees were being brought to the police station but had yet to arrive.
